Over two days of video calls earlier this month, about a dozen students from Thailand’s Kasetsart and Mahanakorn universities debated whether to break a taboo that could land them in jail: openly challenging the country’s powerful monarchy, according to two people on the calls.
FILE PHOTO: Anon Nampa, one of the leaders of recent anti-government protests speaks during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in Chiang Mai, Thailand, August 9, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
While the country has been roiled by decades of political turmoil, street protesters have not previously sought changes to the monarchy, which the constitution says must be held “in a position of revered worship.” Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit said: “Don’t draw the monarchy into conflict, it is not appropriate. The monarchy is a centre of unity for the Thai people.”Anon’s open call for reform underscored the scale and speed of change in Thailand as some members of a new generation take on an establishment tied to the close relationship between the palace and the army. The king, a former army officer, is officially commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Army chief Apirat Kongsompong was not so conciliatory. In a speech to cadets on Aug. 5, he said: “COVID is a curable disease, but hating the nation, hating one’s own country, this a disease that is not curable.” Many Thai conservatives say the bond between the monarchy and army is a guarantee of stability. The military strongly supports the palace’s position as Thailand’s highest moral authority, with its head taking an unprecedented public oath last year to only support a government that backs the monarchy.
So far, only a handful of the dozens of student protest groups have openly criticised the monarchy, but they are united in demanding change after a disputed election last year which allowed former junta leader Prayuth to retain power. Critics say the election was pre-determined by rules written by the military that automatically gave Prayuth a significant number of votes. Prayuth says the vote was fair.
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