Even the most revered King in the world, a King revered by his people as a demi-God, is not immortal. It is the sad truth that recalled the memory of Thais in November, during the six days of the glitzy crematory ceremony in honour of the Princess Galyani [died at the beginning of the year], the elder sister of their beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Parades brought a golden motorcade and an army of extras in traditional costume. Bangkok, some have seen in the funeral a dress rehearsal from those of King Bhumibol, who celebrated his 81st birthday on December 5 and the - already long sixty-two-year - reign cannot be extended very long yet.
.The funeral of Princess Galyani have that briefly quieted the political strife that ripped out three years supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, the Prime Minister overthrown by royalist generals in 2006 coup, and the opposition movement supported by most of the traditional elite in the capital, which visibly Queen Sirikit. The ceremonies were completed for barely one day when a grenade exploded in the middle of the protesters anti-Thaksin, as a victim. The latter, grouped in the people's Alliance for democracy (PAD), which occupied the seat of Government since August, then invested the major airports in the capital, sowing chaos [350,000 passengers have been blocked on the spot and the cost to the economy is colossal]. The siege was broken only eight days later, following the dissolution of the main parties in the coalition Government pro-Thaksin ordered by the Constitutional Court
in addition to legitimate fears related to the abuse of power by Mr Thaksin, one of the concerns of the royalists is only through its populist policies of medical aid and microcredit, the former telecommunications Tycoon is building a crony system and acquire popularity, posing as a rival to the King. Another fear: in the past, Mr. Thaksin would have intensified attention with respect to crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. A generosity that would have had the purpose to ensure influence in preparation for his coronation.
it is for these reasons and others that it is necessary, if one wants to take the measure of the unfortunate of this country of 64 million people, to know the story too rarely told of King Bhumibol. Many Thais will inevitably take offense when reading what follows; they will prefer the official fable of their beloved King. But his past actions are the cause of a conflict that cut the country in two. It is necessary to sift through.
even stripped of Mythology his courtiers have put dozens of years to develop, the history of Bhumibol remains outstanding. Born in the United States, this son of a Princess of the Chakri dynasty and a Métis Chinese commoner accidentally inherits a throne on the brink of disappearing. It will surely give life, giving birth to one of the most powerful and prosperous planet monarchies. the only no doubt modern-day extended its power policy on such a scale. The charism of the King, his intelligence, his talents (saxophonist and Rainmaker, a science for which he holds a European patent), his deep commitment to the welfare of his people explain the adoration that he is doomed within the borders and admiration on him shows across the world.
this icon has clearly reached its zenith in 1992. While the army opened fire on dozens of democratic protesters in Bangkok, the television broadcast pictures of the head of the Army (and Prime Minister) Suchinda Kraprayoon and figurehead of the protesters of Chamlong Srimuang (now a loyal supporter of the PAD) bowing down to the monarch. Shortly thereafter, general Suchinda presented his resignation while the restoration of the democracy auréolait more King Bhumibol.
whatever,. his story is also that of a ruler who has lost faith in democracy (for as much as he has ever had it) and who has stopped interfering in the political wings. And today, in the twilight of his reign, he may leave behind an orphan Thailand which is not prepared to live without her 'father', as it affectionately. Cannot understand how this country, there is still little paragon of political pluralism on the Asian continent, sank into such a "mess" (the King himself stated in 2006) without lifting the thick veil of reverence that surrounds his person.
but this is not easy. Because paradoxically, even a King that is supposed to be adored by all of his subjects, or almost, a need for protection. And that protection took the form of the most ruthless law of lese-majeste world *. While most of the monarchies were abolished or ceased to apply this kind of law, has stiffened it the Thailand in the 1970s. Even criticism the more moderate and more weigh against the Crown is prohibited, and punishable by up to 15 years in prison. This railway legislation has an obvious effect not only on the people of Thailand, but generations of Western diplomats, academics and journalists also which, in a few rare exceptions, self-censor obediently.
the origin of this situation lies – among others – the Viet Nam war. At the time, the United States saw King Bhumibol a reliable ally against the reds. Aware of the value of the sovereign as an anti-Communist icon, the Americans injected a cascade of capital in a propaganda campaign aimed at what every household of the Kingdom is equipped with a royal portrait. Even today, If they are quick to denounce the democratic failings of other Asian countries, the United States rarely protest against arrests of Thais and foreigners guilty of having soiled the monarchy. Journalists and foreign academics, who need visas and access to administrative services for their work, are also mostly muted the thorny question of the kingship.
result of this conspiracy of silence: it was published to date as a single serious biography of the monarch, yet one of the greatest current political leaders in Asia. The King Never Smiles [the King never smiles], of the American journalist Paul Handley (2006) [not translated in french], said that the restoration of the power and prestige of the Thai monarchy is "one of the great stories not told of the 20th century". The author notes that, since its publication two years ago, nobody has put in question the main facts revealed by the book. Not even the most damning stories, those who steal shattered the myth that the ruler is balanced only rarely of policy, and that if he had to do it would be to serve the good. Here is probably the most serious charge: in 1976, the King would have closed their eyes to the constitution of right militias which, alongside the army, have subsequently repressed in a bloodbath of peaceful student demonstrations. As is often the case in the modern history of the Thailand, the hustle and bustle of 1976 served as pretext to overthrow the Government and replace it with a team having received the consent of the Palace.
Bhumibol was 18 years old when he acceded to the throne in 1946,. in the mysterious death of his brother, King Ananda. Also it quickly fell under the influence of his uncles, princes eager to restore the power and splendour that the Crown had lost since the abolition of the absolute monarchy in 1932. In the 1950s, after gaining in stature, began to establish a complete system of nepotism. Thanks to the allocation of various honours as a reward for donations to the Royal cause, the monarchy quite naturally became the first Charity Fund of the country. This 'network monarchy', as nicknamed him Duncan McCargo, a British academic, relocated the King in the centre of Thai society, making it a large part of its power of yesteryear.
A song inspired by years of Royal speech is now repeated in unison by the Alliance of the people for democracy: a political life based on elections is irremediably rotten and the country would be better if it was taken in hand as needed by "men of value" supported by the Crown. Bard of this precept throughout parody of democracy in the 1980s, general Prem Tinsulanonda, sitting in his armchair of non-elected Prime Minister, has done more than anyone to exalt the image of the King demigod. Today president of Bhumibol's Privy Council, general Prem is supposed to stay away from political affairs. But this is only a myth more. Indeed, it is widely regarded as the instigator of the coup of 2006. Recall that, shortly before, he had explained to the army that it belonged to the King and that Mr. Thaksin was a simple pawn, a "cavalier" interchangeable.
the army is for many in the country's problems. His generals think have the right to overthrow any Government which does not suit the monarch or the military, at the slightest sign of the monarchy, which has approved quantity of its coups. Paul Handley, the author of The King Never Smiles, accused King of having undermined the rule of law. In fact, the influence of Bhumibol is such that