According to the draft constitution of 2007 the Thai King remains the ‘upholder’ of all religions practiced by the Thai people (Government of Thailand 2007, S9). While the monarchy has remained a stable institution Thailand has had periodic political upheavals including coups and civil unrest. In 2008 Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was forced from office after violent demonstrations and a ruling by the Constitutional Court (BBCNews 2009).