RAMA!

Despite the fact that I've always wanted to visit Thailand, one of the reasons that I even looked for and applied to study in another country (which ended up being Brazil) for last summer was: that, particularly starting in 2008, SO many protests - i.e., the approximately week-long Bangkok airport seizure - were going on, and my parents deemed it unsafe to go to Thailand.

Considering the revival of the media's attention on the protests currently going on in Thailand and the fact that I AM going to Thailand, no matter what my parents say, I think it is only appropriate for me to finally read up more on what actually is going on behind all of this political unrest. As usual.. I'm going to be relying on Wikipedia and current news articles on the internet....

The current government of Thailand is structured as a constitutional democratic monarchy (it was an absolute monarchy prior to 1932)- the Prime Minister is the Head of Government while the Hereditary Monarch is the Head of State (as well as Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist Religion, and Defender of the Faith). Just for reference, other countries that are consitutional democratic monarchies are: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and of course, the UK

So, basically, the king has very little actual power, but instead, is more of a symbol of Thai identity and unity. The current king, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (82 years old) aka Rama IX, is the longest reigning current monarch in the world (and in all of Thai history) with a reign of 63, going on 64 years May! And.. despite the thought that he shouldn't have too much political action, Bhumibol (with the help of his popularity) has helped mediate... or even express his own thoughts.. or perhaps even meddle... in several political moments of Thailand, including:

• During his long reign he has seen over 15 coups, 16 constitutions, and 27 changes of prime ministers.
• 1992 - Thailand's transition to democracy
• 2006 - before an election, the People's Alliance for Democracy petitioned Bhumibol to appoint a replacement prime minister and cabinet. What I liked about this, though, was that Bhumibol declined, responding that "Asking for a Royally-appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a mess. It is irrational." Well said, I think.
• But... then again, later in 2006, when a coup actually happened, Bhumibol told civil servants to follow a particular commander..... hmm..

Other interesting notes: Acts deemd insulting to the king is a criminal offence (YouTube was blocked in Thailand because of a king-insulting video clip, 3 years ago?!).... Bhumibol's also been involved in several social and economic development projects, is the wealthiest Royal in the world, suffers from lumbar spine stenosis, can pardon prisoners (including 25,000 on 60th anniversary of being king!), and is the only Thai King to hold a patent (for a waste water aerator, and several rainmaking related things?!). An American journalist (Paul Handley?) wrote a biography for Bhumibol called The King Never Smiles, which was banned in Thailand because it has "contents which could affect national security and the good morality of the people" !!

Interesting, indeed...

Anyhow... although I know that I've only just given a brief interesting intro for Thai politics..... due to the onslaught of my midterms (3 midterms this week!!), I am afraid that I have to call it a day, and will resume this story another time~