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BANGKOK: Thousands of anti-government Thai protesters marched to an army barracks on Sunday (Nov 29) to challenge King Maha Vajiralongkorn's personal control over some army units. It was the latest act of defiance against the king by protesters who have broken taboos by criticising the monarchy. The Thai constitution says the monarchy must be revered and laws ban insulting the institution. READ: Thai protesters move to Bangkok suburbs Protesters, many carrying inflatable ducks which have become a protest mascot, stopped at the gates of the 11th Infantry Regiment, part of the King's Guard that played a role in the suppression of anti-establishment protests in 2010. Lines of riot police blocked protesters at the gate. "No democratic country sees a king control an army. In any democratic country with a king as head of state, armed forces report to the government," said Arnon Nampa, a rights lawyer and protest leader who has been a frequent critic of the monarchy. "We've … [Read more...] about Thai protesters march to barracks against king’s military power

Prince Philip likely wanted son Charles to visit him in hospital to discuss the future of the Royal Family, according to an ex-Palace official. The Queen's former press officer Dickie Arbiter said the visit at London's private King Edward VII Hospital last Saturday would have been at Philip's "request". Speaking on True Royalty TV's weekly The Royal Beat programme earlier today, Mr Arbiter said the Duke of Edinburgh will have been looking to the future when he is no longer around. "He was just saying to Charles, 'one day you are going to be the leading man of the family'," he continued. Mr Arbiter, 81, served the Queen from 1988 until 2000. What are your thoughts on the future of the Royal Family? Let us know in the comments He was speaking following reports the Duke, 99, would be spending a second weekend in hospital while receiving treatment for an infection. The Prince of Wales, 72, who is next in line to the throne, appeared in sombre mood after the … [Read more...] about Prince Philip ‘asked Charles to visit hospital to talk of Royal Family’s future’

. Prince Harry and Meghan Meghan Markle sent shockwaves through the British monarchy last year by suddenly announcing they were splitting from the family and embarking on a new future across the Atlantic - one of the most extraordinary royal exits in decades. That split has now been formalised after discussions with the 94-year-old Queen Elizabeth: Harry and Meghan will lose their treasured royal patronages which revert to the queen and will be distributed among other family members. Prince Harry Meghan Markle last week made a final split with the British royal family, telling Queen Elizabeth that they will not be returning as working members of monarchy. Commenting on their split, a royal expert said Prince Charles could rethink the royal status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when he becomes the king. Roberta Fiorito, co-host of the podcast Royally Obsessed, said that monarchy could see what she called an evolution of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. "When Charles … [Read more...] about Expert believes Meghan Markle, Harry’s royal status may change under Prince Charles

BANGKOK: Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn told well-wishers of the importance of unity as he marked the opening of a new railway line on Saturday (Nov 14), after thousands of protesters had turned their backs on his motorcade as it passed through central Bangkok. Around 2,500 demonstrators had gathered at the capital's Democracy Monument in the latest of months of protests against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, demanding changes to the constitution as well as reforms of the monarchy. The protesters draped the centrepiece of the monument, which has become a rallying point for the protests, in a cloth covered in grievances and insults. “Dictatorship be destroyed, democracy shall prosper," shouted protesters who scaled the 3m-tall structure. READ: Thai anti-government protesters scale Bangkok monument READ: Commentary: Will anxious Thai protesters wait for a new Constitution? As the motorcade carrying the king and Queen Suthida passed by they turned their backs, gave … [Read more...] about Thai king calls for unity after protesters turn back on motorcade

KYOTO: The coronation of King Rama X of Thailand will be held from May 4 to 6. It will be the first crowning of a sovereign since his father — late King Bhumibol Adulyadej — was enthroned on May 5, 1950. A few days before the coronation, King Maha Vajiralongkorn surprised the public by announcing his marriage with Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayutthaya , a former flight attendant who is now Thailand’s queen consort. Bhumibol reigned for 70 years until he passed away in October 2016. The long, authoritative reign of Bhumibol raises a critical question: Will Vajiralongkorn’s reign be so successful? ​​​​​​​ READ: Powerful, rich and shrouded in secrecy - Thailand's King Rama X POLITICAL CONSENSUS How Thailand will look in the post-coronation period predominantly rests on the ability of King Vajiralongkorn to build a new consensus with major political stakeholders. Thailand has fallen into a protracted crisis since 2006 — the year the Thaksin Shinawatra government was … [Read more...] about Commentary: Can Thailand’s new king hold the country together?