BANGKOK, Oct 14, (APP/AFP) – During his seven-decade reign, King Bhumibol Adulyadej forged deep ties with Thailand’s military, which is expected to remain a key power broker as the monarch’s son tries to emerge from his late father’s lengthy shadow. In a country battered by near-constant power struggles, Thailand’s military establishment has long tied its political fortunes to Bhumibol, who died on Thursday aged 88. The armed forces portray themselves as the ultimate defender of the monarchy and most of the many coups launched during Bhumibol’s reign were done in the name of protecting the king — and eventually endorsed by him. But the king also wielded enormous prestige, famously calling Thailand’s then military ruler to his palace in 1992, humiliating him on television for ordering a bloody crackdown on demonstrations against his government. The prime minister resigned. But Bhumibol’s designated successor Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn lacks his father’s deep military links.
International News
Thai military remain power brokers in royal succession
