Damn, such a blowout for a humble Thai who wish for a more open society after the succession. I feel that an outrage from a "reformist" like you also puffs out the air of hopelessness. What can we do, guys? (Read: How to succeed in abolishing monarchy?) Nasty as it is, the reality is that hundreds of flash mobs in front of Thai Embassies and a thousand of independent democratic minded detained, jailed or murdered won't affect the situation more than a power breakfast at Foggy Bottom's 5 stars hotel. It's a hypocritical world, so how can we arouse those hypocritical men in NATO countries to turn their guns towards the autocratic rulers here and set up a real democratic institutions (which are needed to be Far, far more complex and serviceable than 1997 constitution)? This is, IMO, the most realistic way of midwifing a democracy in such an autocratic place here.
- Back to realpolitik, do you think this case would alter the "Games of Thrones"? I think that while having a mia noi (General Sutida Vajiralongkorn?) bearing a normal offspring would solidify Vajiralongkorn's rights on the throne, his nasty antics of purging "Team Srirasmi" would causes himself several sullies from his archrivals. Thaksin could probably also very upset. I think that his twenty-year-long strategy of investing on Vajiralongkorn is not smart at all. Yet, that's unless the deal with Pravit Wongsuwan is sealed off and let Vajiralongkorn, Sutida, The Baby Prince and The Shinawatras rise as the new ammat, with the Eastern Tigers' power heir dominating the army. I highly doubt if the alternative path is likely, or if it's done, it would have been a hoax against Thaksin and Vajiralongkorn again.
I can't guess any further. More details of Vajiralongkorn-Junta deal needed to be brought to lights. Nobody but you, Khun Andrew! Thanks a lot crub!