Oratha hai by Shriring and Patpicha Tankasempipat
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A man holding a royal portrait at a protest site in Bangkok by Thai King Maha Vajirlongkorn has sparked controversy in Thailand, gaining praise for monarchies and condemning opponents.
The king has not made any public comment on the more than three months of protests, which have increasingly targeted the monarchy as well as the government.
But in a video recorded Friday evening, the king greets the well-wishers outside the Grand Palace, he is heard praising a monarch who was portrayed by Queen Suthida as a man holding a royal portrait while others were protesting.
“Very brave, very brave, very good, thank you,” said the king.
The Royal Palace made no comment, as the monarchy has not been increasingly targeted since anti-government protests began in July. Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisari declined to comment.
The video was posted on Rajvi’s Facebook page, along with several other videos from the event and photos from October 20.
“Their races have recognized me. This is the highest point of my life,” wrote a man named Theativat Tanagarun.
Reuters could not independently verify the video’s authenticity. Many others at the event recorded the encounter and posted videos online, but the king’s words were not clear during the chanting.
The King’s remarks received a great response.
Imperial leader Vorong Dechgitwigrom posted, “Just looking at this picture, we are very touched.” “This is the Thai way of caring, supporting and protecting and so is Thai society today. Today it is believed that their organization has adapted to be very close to the people. This makes a great impression.”
But even among the top trending hashtags on Twitter in Thailand, well-tweeted more than 500,000 times, it is the # 23 ct ktoiz pen pun – used by protesters and their supporters to say that the palace has now clarified its position.
Along with sarcastic comments – the heritage #VeryBraveVeryGoodThankYou was also widely used.
“Very brave, very brave, very good for such a clear expression,” read a comment from opposition leader Tatep Ruangprapekitshree. He has placed less emphasis on imperial reform than on others.
Another opposition leader, Piarat Chongthep, commented: “The king is not above political problems, but always at the center of problems.”
Opposition groups called for the removal of former junta leader Prime Minister Prut Chan Chan-ocha, accusing him of rigging last year’s election to retain power. He denies the allegation.
The opposition minister also wants a change in the constitution and a reduction in the powers of the monarchy, which he says has helped enable military domination for decades.
Under Thailand’s constitution, the monarchy “sits in reverence”, but in principle it is not involved in politics – an issue the king himself raised during last year’s elections.
James Buchanan, a spokesman for Mahidol University International College in Bangkok, said the king’s remarks were a clear intervention in the Thai crisis.
He said, ‘I mean that the king accepts the challenge to his authority by protesting, but will not back down.’
(Additional report by Panu Wongcha-um; written by Matthew Tostavin)
