Monks gathered for a mass alms-giving ceremony and glittering commemorative stamps were issued on Friday as Thais marked the 65th birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn — his first as monarch of the politically febrile nation. Vajiralongkorn took the throne late last year after the death of his deeply revered father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who built up … Read more
Hundreds of Thai schoolchildren and naval officers sent 1,066 turtles scuttling into the sea on Wednesday in a ceremony aimed at bringing good fortune to the new King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who turns 65 on Friday. The sea turtles, seen as symbols of longevity, waddled into the waves off Sattahip naval base in Chonburi province. Many … Read more
Carrying a bucket of cement and a heavy bronze plaque, Ekachai Hongkangwan set out across Bangkok’s heavily-policed Royal Plaza in late June to perform a solo act of DIY dissent. But the 42-year-old was quickly bundled into a police van before he could lay down the metal disc — an exact replica of a monument … Read more
A new law giving Thailand’s king direct control over royal assets worth billions of dollars went into force Monday, the latest move by an increasingly assertive monarch to consolidate his power. King Maha Vajiralongkorn inherited one of the world’s great fortunes when he ascended the throne in October following the death of his father Bhumibol … Read more
Thai authorities on Saturday detained an activist attempting to mark the 1932 revolution that ended absolute monarchy, police said, a historical event that has become increasingly taboo under an ultra-royalist junta. The bloodless revolution on June 24, 1932 launched parliamentary democracy in Thailand, but the decades since have been punctuated by frequent military coups, including … Read more
Anti-junta activists staged a rare protest in Thailand on Thursday demanding the release of a prominent student leader who was detained for sharing a news story about the kingdom’s new monarch on Facebook. Jatupat “Pai” Boonpatararaksa, 25, was arrested six months ago for sharing a profile of King Maha Vajiralongkorn written by the BBC’s Thai-language … Read more
A 14-year-old boy has been detained in a Thai army prison under a draconian and increasingly wielded royal defamation law, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday, as it decried the secrecy surrounding the latest series of arrests. The law in Thailand forbids any criticism of the monarchy and punishes transgressors with up to 15-years in jail … Read more
Authorities in Thailand have warned Facebook to take down content critical of the monarchy, or face legal action. The social media giant has been given until next Tuesday to remove more than 130 items from pages viewable in Thailand. Facebook says it does consider requests from governments to block material, and will comply if it … Read more
Authorities in Thailand have warned Facebook to take down content critical of the monarchy, or face legal action. The social media giant has been given until next Tuesday to remove more than 130 items from pages viewable in Thailand. Facebook says it does consider requests from governments to block material, and will comply if it … Read more
An artist has been forced to rework a giant statue built for Thailand’s late king after the inclusion of Apple, Facebook and Google logos on it caused an outcry. Artist Pitak Chalermlao included the logos on a two-metre tall statue of the Garuda – a half-bird half-human creature in Hindu and Buddhist mythology – as … Read more
A Thai human rights lawyer could be sentenced to a maximum 150 years in prison after he was charged with a record ten counts of royal defamation, a rights group said Wednesday. Prawet Prapanukul, a well-known critic of the law under which he is now being prosecuted, was detained by soldiers and police at his … Read more
Apple, Facebook and Google logos have been removed from a giant statue of a mythical beast that will stand inside the sprawling cremation complex being built for Thailand’s late king after their inclusion caused an online outcry. Dozens of palace artisans are working around the clock to produce a dizzying array of sculptures for the … Read more
Thailand’s new king was granted control on Tuesday over five state agencies that oversee royal affairs and security, the latest move by an increasingly assertive monarch to consolidate power. The law detailing the transfers was not made public until it was published late Monday in the Royal Gazette, meaning lawmakers had voted on the bill … Read more
Hordes of revellers armed with plastic water guns poured onto Thai streets on Friday for a second day of watery warfare to ring in the kingdom’s traditional new year. Known as Songkran, the Thai holiday is celebrated by paying respect to elders and sprinkling water over Buddha figures at local temples. But the festival has … Read more
Amnesty International has slammed an unprecedented ban by Thailand’s junta on using the internet to communicate with three trenchant critics of the monarchy, saying authorities had hit new lows in curbing free speech. The new order makes any online interaction with the trio in the Kingdom — including contacting them, and following or sharing their … Read more
Thailand’s junta chief on Wednesday said he plans to lift the ban on political party gatherings before next year’s elections, although he declined to put a date on polls or state when the restrictions will be lifted. The military seized power in 2014 ushering in Thailand’s most autocratic government in a generation. Former army chief … Read more
Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn is expected to sign off on Thursday on the country’s latest constitution, a document drafted by the military following their takeover three years ago. What do we know about the charter and will it solve the country’s deep-seated political rifts? – We’ve been here before, haven’t we? – Yes. Since … Read more
Thailand’s king will sign off on the country’s new constitution later Thursday, a document touted by the junta as a cure for political instability but dismissed by critics as a move to further entrench army influence. The military says royal approval of the charter — Thailand’s twentieth since 1932 — will open the door for … Read more
The family of Myanmar’s last king hit out on Sunday at a Thai soap opera inspired by the palace intrigue of their ancestors, accusing Thailand of double standards in how it treats another country’s royals. Soe Win, the great grandson of Myanmar’s last monarch King Thibaw, told AFP his family were angered by “A Lady’s … Read more
Aided by a jazz soundtrack, Thai artisans work against the clock scratching, moulding and shaping the intricate clay sculptures that will adorn the funeral pyre of Thailand’s revered former King Bhumibol Adulaydej. The sculptures, of animals, gods and mythical creatures, will decorate the spectacular 50 metre (165 foot) pyre that is set to provide a … Read more