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BANGKOK: Protesters in Thailand have expanded their protests internationally, marching to the German embassy to appeal to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government to investigate whether the King of Thailand has exercised political power during his extended stays in Bavaria.
The protesters acted while criticizing their own Parliament, which began a special two-day session on Monday (October 26) to address political tensions resulting from the almost daily protests calling for the resignation of the prime minister, constitutional changes and reforms to the monarchy.
They believe that the king wields an enormous amount of power in what is nominally a democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
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Protesters march toward the German embassy in central Bangkok, Oct. 26, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe)
The scrutiny and public criticism of the monarchy by some of the protesters is unprecedented in a country where the royal institution has been deemed sacrosanct. It has also led royalists to organize counter demonstrations and denounce protesters for raising the issue, increasing the risk of confrontation.
The protesters, estimated by an Associated Press reporter at between 5,000 and 10,000, defied police warnings that they constituted an illegal gathering and marched on the embassy in an effort to draw attention to the time King Maha Vajiralongkorn spends in Germany. The king in recent weeks has been in Thailand with a busy schedule of ceremonial events.
A statement from the protest group said they submitted a letter to embassy officials asking Germany to investigate whether the king “has carried out Thai policy using his royal prerogative from German soil or not.”
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Protesters march toward the German embassy in central Bangkok on October 26, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe)
He said such action could be considered a violation of Germany’s territorial sovereignty, and suggested that his government consider the protesters’ request with the aim of bringing the king back to Thailand to restore the country “on the path of true constitutional monarchy. “.
As well as asking if the king is fulfilling his official royal duties in Germany, the letter provocatively echoed points on which protesters had previously criticized the king.
Germany is considered receptive to your requests.
The German government already raised the issue in early October, when Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, responding to a question in Parliament, expressed concern about any political activity that the king might be carrying out in the country.
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Protesters march toward the German embassy in central Bangkok on Oct. 26, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe)
In Berlin on Monday, Maas spoke again and told reporters that the government was following developments in Thailand and was aware of the demonstrations and “people taking to the streets for their rights.” He added that he was also observing the king’s activities in Germany.
“We have been looking at this not only in the last few weeks, but we continue to look at it in the long term, and if there are things that we believe are illegal, then that will have immediate consequences,” Maas said.
Vajiralongkorn has spent a lot of time in Germany for years, but it only became a problem after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2016.
Bhumibol was king for seven decades, and although he traveled extensively on state visits in the early years of his reign, including being greeted with a parade of ticker tapes in New York City, he left the country only once after the decade. 1960, and that was an overnight stay in neighboring Laos.
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Protesters give a three-finger salute of defiance in front of the Thai king’s portrait as they march toward the German embassy in central Bangkok on Oct. 26, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe).
Vajiralongkorn’s ability to spend time abroad has been facilitated by the changes his office sought and received to the current constitution that no longer require him to appoint a regent when he is out of the kingdom.
Defaming the monarchy can be punished with up to 15 years in prison under Thailand’s harsh lese majesty law.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chuan Leekpai, warned in the special session of Parliament on Monday that there was no question of discussing the role of the monarchy.
In his opening speech, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that he and his government are aware that this is an era of change, driven by technology.
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Police arrive in front of the German embassy in central Bangkok on October 26, 2020 (Photo: AP / Gemunu Amarasinghe)
“But we have to admit that in Thailand, millions, tens of millions of people do not want to see change through chaos,” he said, referring to different views towards the protesters and their demands. “Everyone has their own beliefs.”
He called on Parliament to “find a creative balance” between the opposing views.
Protesters believe that Prayut unfairly retained power in last year’s elections because the laws were changed to favor a pro-military party. The protesters also say that the constitution, written and promulgated under military rule, is undemocratic.
The protesters view the government’s response as disingenuous, noting that the agenda for the non-voting session of Parliament does not include the protesters’ concerns, but rather has covered up criticism of the protests.
Talking points posted by the Prayut government refer to the risk of COVID-19 spreading at rallies, the alleged interference of a small crowd in an actual caravan earlier this month, illegal gatherings, and the destruction of images of the royal family.
