Thailand's protests have spread to areas and institutions where Thais have traditionally always feared to tread - the monarchy. What began as a demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and amendments to the Constitution has extended to calls for reforms to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, risking attention from the world's strictest lese majeste laws. The government reached for harsh emergency powers on Oct 15. But when the protests did not subside, it withdrew the emergency and Mr Prayut went on television appealing for calm. The protesters say they want him out and all legal action against their leaders ended.
This is not an entirely unfamiliar turn in Thai history. After all, Mr Prayut himself rose to power in the wake of the 2014 unrest. Nevertheless, other Indochinese states, notably Laos and Cambodia, are understandably nervous about the youth-led protests reaching their door. This is because it does not look like Thailand's protests, already three months long, are likely to ebb any time soon. On Sunday, thousands gathered again in the centre of Bangkok after Mr Prayut ignored their Saturday night deadline to quit. Germany is also in the sights of protesters as they seek to question the monarch's status in that country where he spends much of his time when abroad. This is clearly another direct message to the King. While he has not commented on the protests, it does help Thailand that he has been back in his country for nearly a fortnight to commemorate a Buddhist holiday and the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October 2016. It would perhaps soothe more frayed tempers if he spent more time at home rather than in Europe, whatever may be his considerations for doing so.
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