Thailand’s new king orders charter amendment
BANGKOK: Thailand’s new king has ordered sections of the country’s draft constitution to be rewritten, the junta chief said Tuesday, a rare public intervention by the monarch in the kingdom’s politics.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, ascended the throne after political clout behind the scenes the October death of his much and controls vast wealth. loved father King Bhumibol AduIt is also protected by a draconi an lese majeste law, forcing media reign spanned seven politically and the public to self-censor. turbulent decades. On Tuesday junta chief Prayut
Like most things regarding ThaiChan-O-Cha said the king had land’s secrecy-shrouded monardeclined to sign off on the new chy, Vajiralongkorn’s approach to charter because of clauses concernthe crown remains a mystery and ing royal powers. is not open to detailed scrutiny. “His majesty’s private principle
The country’s constitutional secretary has sent a letter to the monarchy is granted limited for- government saying discussion is needed on the section of the charter regarding the monarchy,” the junta leader told reporters.
The document was drafted by the junta after its 2014 power grab and approved in a controversial referendum last year in which independent campaigning was banned.
“There are three or four points that need to be amended concerning his authority (as king),” Prayut said, without elaborating be altered.
The revision process would take several months, he added.
It is an unusually assertive move by the palace -- an institution long portrayed as staunchly “above politics” despite several key interventions by Bhumibol during times of political crisis.
The late monarch also forged close ties with the military during his rule and signed off on a dozen coups.
Vajiralongkorn’s relationship with the military and its allies within the Bangkok elite is less clear cut.
The current junta seized power in a coup that analysts believe was staged to ensure a smooth succession as Bhumibol’s health waned.
The army has promised an eventual return to democracy but the timeline for elections keeps slipping.
The junta’s draft charter will be the kingdom’s twentieth in under a century if it is promulgated.