The greatest risk of visiting Thailand now is that King Bhumibol may die any moment. I won't be surprised if Thailand comes to a standstill when that happens. There are also serious political implications as his successor, hmm, shall we say, may need time to build up his popularity to match his father's :ph34r:
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QuoteThais Are Praying for the Recovery of Ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Feliz Solomon / Bangkok @felizysolo Oct. 11, 2016
On Sunday the palace announced King Bhumibol Adulyadej was in an "unstable condition" following treatment for kidney failure
Thais Are Praying for the Recovery of Ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej remains in an "unstable" condition in Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, the palace announced Wednesday, with a team of doctors closely monitoring his treatment.
Wat Yunnawa in the central Sathon district of the Thai capital is recognizable by its ship-like stupa, and is widely believed to be supported by the Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. But the monks and citizens dotted around the compound were offering good wishes for the prince's father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who lies in hospital after his already ailing health recently took a turn for the worse.
"I am really sad," says Phra Poonchoke Chaungchum, one of the monks at the temple. "I would like to give him moral support and I hope that he recovers soon."
The palace announced on Sunday that the world's longest reigning monarch, who has been in hospital for most of the year, was in an "unstable condition" after receiving hemodialysis treatment, used to treat kidney failure. The treatment was meant to purify his blood, but it had made his blood pressure drop. There was no update from the palace on Tuesday regarding his condition, but doctors on Sunday said he was being closely monitored.
Read More: King of Thailand in Unstable Condition
"I am very concerned, I feel uneasy about this news," says Sumana, 68, one of the women kneeling at the temple, who bore a satchel bearing the Thai flag. "Every time I have the chance I pray for the King."
On Monday, the army publicly announced on TV that it would arrange special ceremonies to be held at temples nationwide on the second Monday of every month until December, so citizens can pray for the King and royal family.
"As Thai people, we are very worried. I just hope the medical team can give the King the best treatment," says Nippon Hareanput, 41 a motorbike taxi driver in Bangkok.
Bhumibol, 88, who has ruled Thailand for more than 70 years, is seen as a unifying force in the country and deeply beloved by this subjects. But his ailing health comes at a time of political upheaval in the kingdom. A controversial referendum in August effectively cemented the power of the military junta that seized power in a coup in 2014.
As the King's health has declined in recent years, the subject of succession has become increasingly sensitive. His only living son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, is poised to assume the throne, but the country's broadly applied lèse majesté law (which prevents anyone from defaming or insulting members of the royal family) means that discussion of the monarch's health and the line of succession is heavily curtailed.
Bhumibol is being treated on the 16th floor of Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital. Below in the courtyard stands a statue of his late father, Mahidol Adulyadej, who helped to set up the public health system in Thailand, and was a patron of the medical facility. A handful of people kneel in front of the statue, some are wearing pink shirts, which means they are explicitly praying for the health and wealth of the King.
"This morning I woke up at 4:30 a.m. I prayed, took a shower and meditated for the King," says a visibly emotional Pipat Inthasara, 43, who sells second-hand items at a flea market. "I rode my bicycle here and it took more than an hour. But I wanted to come to pay respect for the King. I can't explain it in words, I'm speechless."
lol, Poonchoke
lol, Poonchoke
lol, Bump Hole
Apparently the crown prince is a bit of a knob.
I've a Thai friend who used to work at Thai Airways, a company with constant financial troubles. One of its key financial troubles being that the crown prince really wanted to be a pilot. But this being thailand and the sun shining out of the monarchys arse they couldn't let him be a normal working pilot, oh no, instead they had to regularly schedule flights with no passengers just so the prince could have his fun.
Needless to say half the air hostesses in the company's employ are also said to have enjoyed his.... ahem. Company.
It's good to be the crown prince.
Quote from: Tyr on October 13, 2016, 02:02:29 AM
Apparently the crown prince is a bit of a knob.
I've a Thai friend who used to work at Thai Airways, a company with constant financial troubles. One of its key financial troubles being that the crown prince really wanted to be a pilot. But this being thailand and the sun shining out of the monarchys arse they couldn't let him be a normal working pilot, oh no, instead they had to regularly schedule flights with no passengers just so the prince could have his fun.
Needless to say half the air hostesses in the company's employ are also said to have enjoyed his.... ahem. Company.
It's good to be the crown prince.
I heard that the Crown Prince is a...responsible pet owner :ph34r:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/05/thai-crown-prince-pet-poodle-air-chief-marshal-foo-foo-cremated
Quote
Thai crown prince's poodle, Air Chief Marshal Foo Foo, has been cremated
Air Chief Marshal Foo Foo, the pet poodle of Thailand's crown prince, has been cremated after four days of Buddhist funeral rites, prompting a surge of coded social media comments in the troubled kingdom, where it is illegal to openly discuss the looming royal succession.
Thailand has been engulfed by chronic political turmoil since 2005, due partly to an unacknowledged conflict among the elite over who will become monarch when the ailing 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies.
Although Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is the official heir, he is unpopular and has been embroiled in several scandals. Many Thais would prefer his younger sister, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, to inherit the throne, but palace law does not allow a female monarch.
Unable to openly discuss their doubts about the crown prince and anxiety over the future of the monarchy, Thais express their views about the royal family more subtly. Photographs of Foo Foo's funeral rites were widely shared on social media as news spread that the 17-year-old poodle had died, and hundreds of Thais responded to the death by making ironic online comments and oblique hints about the succession.
A secret succession struggle that had simmered for decades exploded into the open in 2007 when opponents of the crown prince leaked a video showing the 30th birthday party of his third wife, Princess Srirasm, in 2001. The footage, which caused a sensation in Thailand, showed the princess virtually naked in the presence of several courtiers, and lying on the floor to eat cake beside Foo Foo.
A few months after the video was leaked, US ambassador Ralph "Skip" Boyce hosted a gala dinner at which the crown prince was the guest of honour. Seated beside Srirasm, Boyce began discussing the subject of royal pets, inadvertently exposing the rivalry surrounding the succession.
Air Chief Marshal Foo Foo, with Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Royal Consort Princess Srirasmi
"I mentioned having heard Princess Sirindhorn had a large dog, and I asked Srirasm if she knew the breed. Srirasm appeared immediately to freeze up; her body language changed, and she said curtly that she knew nothing of Sirindhorn's affairs," Boyce wrote in a confidential cable obtained by WikiLeaks.
He added: "Her reaction was interesting, given a widespread, longstanding perception that Sirindhorn may somehow edge out the crown prince as successor to the King."
Boyce also reported that Foo Foo had been awarded a senior rank in the Royal Thai Air Force: "Srirasm ... confirmed that the crown prince's miniature poodle, Foo Foo, currently holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal. Foo Foo was present at the event, dressed in formal evening attire complete with paw mitts, and at one point during the band's second number, he jumped up onto the head table and began lapping from the guests' water glasses, including my own. The Air Chief Marshal's antics drew the full attention of the 600-plus audience members, and remains the talk of the town to this day."
Frank discussion of the royal succession and palace scandals is illegal in Thailand, where a draconian lèse majesté law punishes any perceived criticism of the monarchy with three to 15 years in jail. The law has been increasingly harshly enforced in recent years as the succession draws closer, and scores of people have been arrested since the military seized power in a coup last May.
In the latest scandal involving the crown prince, Srirasm was stripped of her royal titles and banished from Vajiralongkorn's palace in December, and several of her relatives were arrested and accused of racketeering and corruption. The prince is expected to marry for a fourth time, taking a former Thai Airways flight attendant as his next wife.
"Air Chief Marshal Foo Foo", that's quite the dog name. :huh:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/13/thai-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-dies-after-70-year-reign
RIP :weep:
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So apparently all public employees must wear black for a year.
Smooth so far. Was curious whether sister supporters might lick something up. There's still time....
Hope this leads to Thailand becoming a normal monarchy (and not going way too far past that into republicanism)
He was a tyrant holding his people in bondage. Fuck him.
The future king promoted his dog to the rank of air marshal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fufu_(dog)
He's a real-life Caligula!
Sic semper tyrannis.
his situation has returned to stable I gather?
Quote from: Crazy_Ivan80 on October 13, 2016, 01:22:52 PM
his situation has returned to stable I gather?
He has settled in a local minimum, yes.
Quote from: Martinus on October 13, 2016, 12:16:40 PM
Sic semper tyrannis.
Die peacefully of natural causes at 88? Sadly probably right :(
The Asian tendency to worship god-kings figures. :wacko:
Quote from: Valmy on October 13, 2016, 01:24:59 PM
Quote from: Martinus on October 13, 2016, 12:16:40 PM
Sic semper tyrannis.
Die peacefully of natural causes at 88? Sadly probably right :(
Better than his older brother, whom he killed.
Quote
(CNN)The question of when Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will ascend the throne of Thailand will have to wait, after the successor to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died Thursday, said he 'needs time to mourn his father'.
The prince's decision was relayed to the media by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, after an extraordinary meeting at Thailand's National Assembly.
"We are at the most important time. We need to do everything smoothly. I met Crown Prince today and he has been aware that he has been appointed as a successor up until now.
"But he needs time to jointly mourn with Thai people."
Prince Vajiralongkorn was named as successor to the throne on December 28, 1972.
Born in July 1952, Vajiralongkorn was introduced to the Thai public through his father's home videos, which were shown on newsreels in theaters across the country.
As a young man, he was educated in the United Kingdom and at Australia's Royal Military College in Duntroon, Canberra.
He was officially declared crown prince and heir apparent to the Thai throne in 1972.
His older sister, 65-year-old princess Ubol Ratana Rajakanya, is not eligible to ascend the throne due to the Thai laws of succession, which don't allow women to become the country's monarch.
Currently single, Vajiralongkorn has been married three times - to Soamsawali Kitiyakara in 1977, Yuvadhida Polpraserth in 1994 and Srirasmi Suwadee in 2001.
He was divorced from Princess Srirasmi in 2014 after a period of separation.
He has seven children from his three marriages, the oldest of whom is 37-year-old princess Bajrakitiyabha, who was Thailand's ambassador to Austria between 2012 and 2014.
He also owned a much-loved poodle called Foo Foo, which died in 2015 at the age of 17.
Vijiralongkorn will inherit the throne from the longest-regining monarch in Thailand's history; King Bhumibol celebrated the 70th anniversary of his reign in June 2016.
In December 2015, crown prince Vajiralongkorn led as many as 100,000 cyclists in the inaugural "Bike for Dad" ride around Bangkok, to celebrate his father's 88th birthday.
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There are differing reports on how long the mourning period is going to be. I have heard a year; and I have also heard 100 days. It is probably a really bad idea to go to Thailand until the funeral. But I don't think they'll close all the shops and restaurants for a year. All Thai TV will broadcast in black and white for a few weeks.
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Also no word on the new king. They seem to be kingless for now.
No word?
They announced pretty firmly it was his son but the son says he is taking time to morn. Which seems reasonble.
LOL apparently those savages are questioning journalists under their "lese majeste" laws for taking these pictures of their new king.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3702849/Thai-police-detain-British-writers-wife-royal-photos.html
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:lol:
:lol: King Meth Head.
....what is he wearing? :blink:
Quote from: Monoriu on October 13, 2016, 10:21:17 PM
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Is the corpse already rotting or something?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 15, 2016, 03:25:26 AM
:lol: King Meth Head.
It sounds like a set up for a comedy.
Good on BILD for saying fuck you, we'll publish.
Their new king apparently lives part of the year near Munich in a big mansion on the Starnberg lake. The cars in the photos seem to be German government cars too as they don't have a normal number plate. Maybe embassies get those as well.
Very soon we are going to have to get used to seeing his pictures all over Thailand and in almost every Thai restaurant all over the world.
Quote'There is at least one error in the [Bild] article - it names the poodle as Foo Foo, but in fact Foo Foo is dead, and the poodle in the photographs is actually called Fee Fee,' Marshall wrote on Facebook.
Did he promote that one to the rank of "Air Marshal" as well, or maybe to "Grand Admiral" for a change?
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 03:31:10 AM
Very soon we are going to have to get used to seeing his pictures all over Thailand and in almost every Thai restaurant all over the world.
:lol:
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 03:32:49 AM
Quote'There is at least one error in the [Bild] article - it names the poodle as Foo Foo, but in fact Foo Foo is dead, and the poodle in the photographs is actually called Fee Fee,' Marshall wrote on Facebook.
Did he promote that one to the rank of "Air Marshal" as well, or maybe to "Grand Admiral" for a change?
Probably a state secret. Serious.
Quote from: Martinus on October 15, 2016, 03:23:36 AM
LOL apparently those savages are questioning journalists under their "lese majeste" laws for taking these pictures of their new king.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3702849/Thai-police-detain-British-writers-wife-royal-photos.html
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:lol:
Will he be the villain in Far Cry 5?
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 03:34:11 AM
Probably a state secret. Serious.
Fuck corrupt and frivolous eastern dictatorships. I'm so glad I live in a country with negligible political corruption.
Quote from: The Brain on October 15, 2016, 03:35:11 AM
Will he be the villain in Far Cry 5?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Totally rockin' the skinny jeans.
It is really important for the Crown Prince to ascend to the throne. Legend is that there will only be 9 kings under the current Thai dynasty. Guess what, King Bhumibol is Rama IX. The existence of Rama X will help dispel that myth.
Quote from: Martinus on October 15, 2016, 03:23:36 AM(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2Fi%2Fpix%2F2016%2F07%2F22%2F16%2F3681C9EB00000578-3702849-image-a-94_1469199977613.jpg&hash=1260210c4e2e20fcbf9ca7099bb94379bfdaca07)
Love the expression of the guy top right. "Well, we're fucked."
"Your majesty, it's urgent, we need to travel now. Quick, get dressed!"
"I *am* dressed!"
"... Oh."
The King's body has returned to the palace.
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Thais display bank notes in remembrance to the King, as his likeness appears on every single bill.
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The other day I saw some expat Thais when I had lunch in Hong Kong, and they all wore black.
Idiots.
I'm starting to think we're living in a weird, stupid alt-hist forum 2016, not the real one that's sane and sensible and out there in another dimension.
Quote from: Martinus on October 15, 2016, 07:40:35 AM
Idiots.
They're just pre-modern people who did not pass through their Enlightenment, worshipping their dead god-king. I bet Egypt 2300 BC didn't look all that different.
The King's funeral procession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg
Huge crowds. Even the nurses lined up outside the hospital.
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 07:54:00 AM
The King's funeral procession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg
Huge crowds. Even the nurses lined up outside the hospital.
And if they didn't, how long would they stay employed?
Quote from: mongers on October 15, 2016, 08:12:29 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 07:54:00 AM
The King's funeral procession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg
Huge crowds. Even the nurses lined up outside the hospital.
And if they didn't, how long would they stay employed?
Hey, when your ancient monarch finally croaks, you'll have state-decreed mourning as well, so you're not exactly in a position to feel superior.
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 08:14:10 AM
Quote from: mongers on October 15, 2016, 08:12:29 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 07:54:00 AM
The King's funeral procession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg
Huge crowds. Even the nurses lined up outside the hospital.
And if they didn't, how long would they stay employed?
Hey, when your ancient monarch finally croaks, you'll have state-decreed mourning as well, so you're not exactly in a position to feel superior.
:huh:
Where do you get the idea that I'm feeling superior from, after all we live under former minster of interior, Theresa May.
Can't blame him for living on Lake Starnberg though. Definitely a beautiful place:
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Quote from: Zanza on October 15, 2016, 08:19:17 AM
Can't blame him for living on Lake Starnberg though. Definitely a beautiful place:
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And now he's no longer there, presumably for some the view will be improved* a bit?
* I'm assuming he didn't only play scrabble in the afternoons along with a nice pot of tea. Or are the residences up there, big enough that you'll never hear or know what you neighbours get up to?
This is how his place looks like from the street. He has his own stretch of coastline on the lake. It sits on 1.4 acres and the house has 15,000 square feet. So not too shabby, but not a palace.
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Quote from: Zanza on October 15, 2016, 08:30:21 AM
This is how his place looks like from the street. He has his own stretch of coastline on the lake. It sits on 1.4 acres and the house has 15,000 square feet. So not too shabby, but not a palace.
......
Love the portaloo outside the gates, guessing that's not a permanent feature. :D
BTW mono, you can update this thread title to stable condition.
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 03:35:48 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 03:34:11 AM
Probably a state secret. Serious.
Fuck corrupt and frivolous eastern dictatorships. I'm so glad I live in a country with negligible political corruption.
So you have left Switzerland?
Quote from: Oexmelin on October 15, 2016, 09:56:37 AM
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 03:35:48 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 03:34:11 AM
Probably a state secret. Serious.
Fuck corrupt and frivolous eastern dictatorships. I'm so glad I live in a country with negligible political corruption.
So you have left Switzerland?
:D
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 08:14:10 AM
Quote from: mongers on October 15, 2016, 08:12:29 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 07:54:00 AM
The King's funeral procession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg
Huge crowds. Even the nurses lined up outside the hospital.
And if they didn't, how long would they stay employed?
Hey, when your ancient monarch finally croaks, you'll have state-decreed mourning as well, so you're not exactly in a position to feel superior.
Just look at how they acted when Diana died.
Quote from: Oexmelin on October 15, 2016, 09:56:37 AM
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 03:35:48 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 03:34:11 AM
Probably a state secret. Serious.
Fuck corrupt and frivolous eastern dictatorships. I'm so glad I live in a country with negligible political corruption.
So you have left Switzerland?
I feel confident and secure in my smugness.
So you are still in Switzerland, then.
The coronation of the new king will be delayed by at least a year.
Quote from: Monoriu on October 16, 2016, 03:43:34 AM
The coronation of the new king will be delayed by at least a year.
That's a seriously long rehab.
Must suck to have booked trip to Thailand around now.
Quote from: Tyr on October 16, 2016, 04:24:22 AM
Must suck to have booked trip to Thailand around now.
I have booked a trip to Bangkok in January, and I am not too worried. It probably depends on how your want to do Bangkok though. I mainly go there for the food and for some shopping, and I am quite confident that my trip will be unaffected. Whatever happens to the King, they still need to earn a living. I just don't believe that they'll close the restaurants, hotels and department stores, at least not for long. But if you focus on the night life, then you'll probably be more concerned.
Quote from: Syt on October 16, 2016, 03:47:14 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 16, 2016, 03:43:34 AM
The coronation of the new king will be delayed by at least a year.
That's a seriously long rehab.
King Bhumibol had been seriously ill for many years. His death was by no means unexpected. They must have a plan in place on how to do the succession. The Crown Prince isn't exactly popular and he knows it. If he takes the throne now, the contrast with his father will be too great.
Quote from: Monoriu on October 16, 2016, 04:49:19 AM
Quote from: Tyr on October 16, 2016, 04:24:22 AM
Must suck to have booked trip to Thailand around now.
I have booked a trip to Bangkok in January, and I am not too worried. It probably depends on how your want to do Bangkok though. I mainly go there for the food and for some shopping, and I am quite confident that my trip will be unaffected. Whatever happens to the King, they still need to earn a living. I just don't believe that they'll close the restaurants, hotels and department stores, at least not for long. But if you focus on the night life, then you'll probably be more concerned.
You're reasonably well off and coming from Asia. If it does suck you've lost...what, £200 max? As you say your activities are pretty unlikely to be affected too.
I'm thinking more of those working class people from Europe who scrape together the hundreds needed to go on a party holiday over there. :(
I do recall reading a piece a few months ago where a lady from the Thai government was speaking about wanting to change Thailand's image away from this land of sex, drugs and ladyboys and towards being a more respectable tourist destination. Wonder if they'll exploit this period towards that end.
Quote from: Tyr on October 16, 2016, 05:38:20 AM
I'm thinking more of those working class people from Europe who scrape together the hundreds needed to go on a party holiday over there. :(
Seems like there are a lot more tragic things in the world.
With the lower stability in Thailand right now, this may be a good time to declare war. Hopefully Obama is paying attention.
Quote from: alfred russel on October 16, 2016, 07:51:21 PM
With the lower stability in Thailand right now, this may be a good time to declare war. Hopefully Obama is paying attention.
Thailand is our ally.... I was just there this past spring to do joint exercises with their military. :unsure:
Quote from: Alcibiades on October 16, 2016, 08:04:22 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 16, 2016, 07:51:21 PM
With the lower stability in Thailand right now, this may be a good time to declare war. Hopefully Obama is paying attention.
Thailand is our ally.... I was just there this past spring to do joint exercises with their military. :unsure:
I just assumed that was a bad Europa Universalis joke. :sleep:
Quote from: Alcibiades on October 16, 2016, 08:04:22 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 16, 2016, 07:51:21 PM
With the lower stability in Thailand right now, this may be a good time to declare war. Hopefully Obama is paying attention.
Thailand is our ally.... I was just there this past spring to do joint exercises with their military. :unsure:
I don't doubt our top brass finds lots of reasons to schedule joint exercises in places with hot young women at affordable prices.
Quote from: Alcibiades on October 16, 2016, 08:04:22 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 16, 2016, 07:51:21 PM
With the lower stability in Thailand right now, this may be a good time to declare war. Hopefully Obama is paying attention.
Thailand is our ally.... I was just there this past spring to do joint exercises with their military. :unsure:
No shit. Enough of all this Thai-bashing already. You want China hemmed in, these are the kind of assholes you have to deal with.
And I don't know what the fucking problem is with promoting the goddamned dog, either. I had successfully nominated and named my cat as SAKEUR, and granted it was an
ex officio, but still. No biggie.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 16, 2016, 08:55:46 PM
Quote from: Alcibiades on October 16, 2016, 08:04:22 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on October 16, 2016, 07:51:21 PM
With the lower stability in Thailand right now, this may be a good time to declare war. Hopefully Obama is paying attention.
Thailand is our ally.... I was just there this past spring to do joint exercises with their military. :unsure:
No shit. Enough of all this Thai-bashing already. You want China hemmed in, these are the kind of assholes you have to deal with.
And I don't know what the fucking problem is with promoting the goddamned dog, either. I had successfully nominated and named my cat as SAKEUR, and granted it was an ex officio, but still. No biggie.
I gave Drut the title of Brigadefuhrer after his death. Mew.
Hail to His Majesty! Long Live the King! Hail to His Majesty! Long Live the King!
Quote
Thailand: Crown prince assumes throne as King Rama X
By James Griffiths and Kocha Olarn, CNN
Updated 1512 GMT (2312 HKT) December 1, 2016
(CNN)After 49 days of uncertainty, Thailand has a new King.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, officially accepted an invitation by the Thai government on Thursday to assume the throne.
The new Rama X will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindhorndevarangkul. The Chakri dynasty, beginning with Rama I, has ruled Thailand since 1782.
Following the October death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Vajiralongkorn said he needed "time to mourn" before he took the crown.
A temporary regent ruled Thailand during this period of constitutional uncertainty.
Crown prince since 1972
Born in July 1952, Vajiralongkorn was first introduced to the Thai people through his father's home videos, which were shown in theaters across the country.
He was educated in the United Kingdom and Australia before officially being declared crown prince and heir apparent in 1972.
His older sister, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, who is 65, could not ascend to the throne since women are not allowed to become monarch under Thailand's succession laws.
Vajiralongkorn has been married three times -- to Soamsawali Kitiyakara in 1977, Yuvadhida Polpraserth in 1994 and Srirasmi Suwadee in 2001 -- and has two daughters and five sons, only one of whom is officially recognized as a prince.
Uncharted path
King Bhumibol ruled Thailand for seven decades, a time in which the country underwent massive change and turmoil, including war and more than a dozen coups (both attempted and successful).
Bhumibol was seen as a unifying figure, beloved by most Thais and regarded as above politics.
As the king's health faded during his last years, instability and chaos dominated the country. Popularly elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown in a military coup in 2006, and another one followed in 2014.
Since then, the military junta has passed two constitutions shoring up its power and weakening its rivals.
Some observers put the tensions down to uncertainty over the looming succession. Bhumibol was seen as a vital source of political legitimacy for all sides, and he will be a tough act to follow.
Reporting on the succession or the royal family is limited by strict lèse-majesté laws, which impose harsh sentences on anyone who defames or insults the King or senior royals.
I will say nothing bad about this buffoonish king coming to a sham throne while military strongmen dominate his country...in Thailand anyway since I could be arrested.
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 08:14:10 AM
Quote from: mongers on October 15, 2016, 08:12:29 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 07:54:00 AM
The King's funeral procession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg)
Huge crowds. Even the nurses lined up outside the hospital.
And if they didn't, how long would they stay employed?
Hey, when your ancient monarch finally croaks, you'll have state-decreed mourning as well, so you're not exactly in a position to feel superior.
I remember back in 2000 when the US forced the Swiss banks to settle with the World Jewish Congress in the lawsuit concerning Nazi gold. Swiss citizens lined the street, crying as they saw their ill-gotten money carried off.
Quote from: Razgovory on December 01, 2016, 04:10:07 PM
Quote from: Hamilcar on October 15, 2016, 08:14:10 AM
Quote from: mongers on October 15, 2016, 08:12:29 AM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 15, 2016, 07:54:00 AM
The King's funeral procession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg)
Huge crowds. Even the nurses lined up outside the hospital.
And if they didn't, how long would they stay employed?
Hey, when your ancient monarch finally croaks, you'll have state-decreed mourning as well, so you're not exactly in a position to feel superior.
I remember back in 2000 when forced the Swiss banks to settle with the World Jewish Congress in the lawsuit concerning Nazi gold. Swiss citizens lined the street, crying as they saw their ill-gotten money carried off.
:lol: