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Thailand

Debate About the Monarchy Continues to Roil Thailand

Demonstrators in Thailand are increasingly open in their critiques of the military-aligned government and the Thai monarchy.

<p>A protester takes a picture next to a picture of Thailand&#8217;s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha outside the Government House, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 24, 2022.</p>
A protester takes a picture next to a picture of Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha outside the Government House, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 24, 2022. Athit Perawongmetha/via Reuters

By experts and staff

Published

Thailand has been buffeted by political conflict for years, and demonstrators in Thailand now have organized to protest the military-aligned government. They also, increasingly, have become willing to talk openly about the Thai monarchy and its role in government, finance, and daily life, despite harsh lese-majeste laws. For more on the growing discussion of the monarchy, see my Q and A with the organization 112Watch, available here.