End of days: Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej dead

End of days: Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej dead
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Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as King Rama IX, is dead. The Thailand royal palace announced the King died at 15.52hrs, today, October 13, 2016 in the room he has been staying in at Siriraj Hospital off and on since 2009. He was 88-years-old, had ruled the Thai throne for 70 years, and reigned through 17 coups.

King Adulyadej last granted a public audience to mark the 64th anniversary of his coronation in 2013. In September he was seen by those keeping a vigil for his health when he made a brief visit to a Siriraj Hospital shop. Prior to that he was seen in February when he travelled between the hospital and his Bangkok palace where he spent several hours.

Members of the Thailand royal family including Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, and Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, along with the Thai cabinet yesterday rushed to the King’s bedside. Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tabruptly canceled an official engagement in Chonburi and returned to Bangkok by helicopter due to ‘an urgent matter’.

The seriousness of King Adulyadej’s condition was revealed in a coded palace statement last Sunday. According to the bulletin, King Adulyadej was treated Saturday with haemodialysis to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain, causing drops in blood pressure during treatment.

In July a catheter draining fluid from King Adulyadej’s brain was found to need adjusting, while in June the 88-year-old monarch underwent an operation to widen arteries in his heart. Over the past two years King Adulyadej has been treated for a wide range of bacterial infections, breathing difficulties, heart problems and hydrocephalus (a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid often referred to as ‘water on the brain’). In 2007 he suffered the first of several Ischemic strokes.

While Thailand’s royal palace has historically tightly controlled news about King Adulyadej’s health, in recent months updates detailing a string of serious health issues, have become more frequent and more detailed.

The inclusion in this most recent statement that royal physicians ‘recommended that the King suspends royal duties’ sends the clearest signal yet of the gravity of his condition. It also effectively declares him incapable of performing his duties, placing former Thailand prime minister and head of the Privy Council, General Prem Tinsulanonda, as the current Thailand head of state.

Thailand’s rules on royal ascension

Former Thai prime minister and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda
Former Thai prime minister and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda Photo: Government of Thailand

According to Section 17 of the 2014 Interim Constitution (which contains the same wording as the 2016 Draft Thailand Constitution and the 2007 Thailand Consitution): ‘In the case where the King does not appoint the Regent under Section 16, or the King is unable to appoint the Regent owing to His not being sui juris or any other reason whatsoever, the Privy Council shall submit the name of a person suitable to hold the office of the Regent to the National Assembly for approval.

‘While there is no Regent under Section 16 or Section17, the President of the Privy Council shall be Regent pro tempore‘, states Section 18 of the 2016 Draft Thailand Constitution

What is meant to happen next is outlined in Section 21: ‘where the Throne becomes vacant and the King has already appointed His Heir to the Throne under the Palace Law on Succession, B.E. 2467, the Council of Ministers shall notify the President of the National Assembly.

‘The President of the National Assembly shall convoke the National Assembly for the acknowledgement thereof, and shall invite such Heir to ascend the Throne and proclaim such Heir the King.

Thailand’s heir apparent

General Prem Tinsulanonda arrives at a seminar in Bangkok this morning also attended by General Surayud Chulanont and the new Thailand Army Chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart
General Prem Tinsulanonda arrives at a seminar in Bangkok this morning also attended by General Surayud Chulanont and the new Thailand Army Chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart Photo: Via @WassanaNanuam Twitter strea

In 1972, King Adulyadej conferred the title ‘Somdech Phra Borama Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman‘ on Prince Vajiralongkorn, designating him the Crown Prince and Heir to the throne.

There has not ever been a public announcement that this title has ever been revoked. If it had, Section 21 goes on to say: ‘Where the Throne becomes vacant and the King has not appointed His Heir under Paragraph One, the Privy Council shall submit the name of the Successor to the Throne under Section 20 to the Council of Ministers for further submission to the National Assembly for approval. For this purpose, the name of a Princess may be submitted.

‘Upon the approval of the National Assembly, the President of the National Assembly shall invite such Successor to ascend the Throne and proclaim such Successor the King (Queen).

Privy Council chief becomes regent

That 96-year-old General Tinsulanonda becomes de facto head of state upon the King being unable to perform his duties is further enshrined in Section 22 of the 2016 Draft Thailand Constitution. ‘While pending the proclamation of the name of the Heir or the Successor to the Throne under Section 21, the President of the Privy Council shall be Regent pro tempore.

‘In the event where the Throne becomes vacant while the Regent has been appointed under Section 16 or Section 17 or while the President of the Privy Council is acting as the Regent under Section 18 Paragraph One, such Regent, as the case may be, shall continue to be the Regent until the proclamation of the name of the Heir or the Successor to ascend the Throne as the King (Queen).’

How this will play-out is anyone’s guess. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and General Tinsulanonda are known to not be close. Over the past 18 months those opposed to the Crown Prince ascending the thrown have consolidated their power.

Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Photo: John Le Fevre

Many of the Crown Prince’s closest friends, supporters, and relatives on his former wife’s side have ended up in jail. Some have died under mysterious circumstances while undergoing police interrogation.

The government of General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, a close ally and supporter of General Tinsulanonda and fellow Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont, has contributed to that.

Assistant army commander General Chalermchai Sitthisart was recently promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army (RTA). The promotion surprised many and was a departure from choosing successors from the ‘Burapha Payak’ royalist military faction – known as the ‘Eastern Tigers’ – that propelled junta chief Prayut Chan-o-cha to power.

It was also not in line with the wishes of deputy prime minister and Minister of Defence, General Prawit Wongsuwon, who has been described as the ‘elder brother’ of the ‘Burapha Phayak’ or “Eastern Tigers” and is and a supporter of the Crown Prince, who had recommended Thai army chief of staff General Pisit Sitthisarn for the post.

Linked to the Rajabhakti Park corruption scandal, it became widely known that General Tinsulanonda did not favour General Sitthisarn, who was instead made deputy Thai army chief. Last week General Sitthisart reshuffled 307 military positions at the battalion level widely seen as consolidating his command.

Since seizing power in a bloodless coup d’état in May 2014 Thailand’s junta government has maintained strict control over political dissent.

Hundreds of people have been tried before military courts and sentenced to jail terms of up to 30 years under the country’s harsh lese majeste laws which makes detailed discussion of the monarchy all but impossible. Thousands more have been ordered to report to reeducation centres for attitude adjustment, with claims of torture having been made.

Early last month luck finally ran out for Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the pro-royalist ‘yellow-shirt’ People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement which shut down both Bangkok airports and several provincial ones in 2008. After years of successfully posting bail while a number of prior convictions were subject to appeal he was sentenced to 20 years jail for fraud, with the Supreme Court ordering him taken directly to prison.

Earlier this week Thailand’s Criminal Court revoked bail for the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairman and former Pheu Thai Party (PTP) politician Jatuporn Prompan, claiming he had broken the bail terms.

Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister under the last Democrat-led government, and Buddhist monk Phra Buddha Issara, who led hundreds of thousands of protesters in 2013/14 in an attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra under the name People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) remain free.

Effects of King Adulyadej’s death

File photo: King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of his 86th birthday on December 5, 2013
File photo: King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of his 86th birthday on December 5, 2013 Photo: Courtesy Royal Household Bureau

Thailand last experienced the death of a King in 1946 with the death of Ananda Mahidol, who was proclaimed posthumously as Rama VIII. What the ramifications will be following the death of King Adulyadej is anyone’s guess.

In 2008 when Her Royal Highness Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, elder sister to King Adulyadej died, 100 days of mourning followed.

Television stations broadcast archival footage of her life and work, while ordinary Thais wore black and Thai flags were flown at half mast for 15 days. Entertainment venues were ‘asked’ to refrain from operating for 15 days.

In the first six days after her death more than 118,000 people thronged the Grand Palace to sign the condolences book. In every province throughout Thailand ordinary Thai’s queued to do the same.

The funeral rites, conducted over six days in traditional Thailand Theravada Buddhism tradition, saw a ‘royal crematorium’ that took seven months to construct at a cost of Bt300 million (about $US8.8 million*) built at Sanam Luang, the Royal Lawn in front of the Grand Palace.

However, the death of King Adulyadej will be different. In 2009 when he was hospitalised the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) fell 8.2 per cent before closing down 5.3 per cent, when rumours exaggerating the seriousness of his condition were circulated by SMS/ text messages.

Prior to the Thailand referendum two months ago credible rumours circulated that the King was gravely ill. While no out of the ordinary announcements have been made apart from last Sunday, the SET has fallen 7.4 per cent over the last six weeks up to the close of trade on October 11 – plummeting  6.9 per cent, when the exchange resumed its afternoon session today, before closing down 2.50 per cent on the day’s trade. On Monday Xinhua English news linked an almost 3 per cent drop in opening trade to King Adulyadej’s ailing health.

With some 85 per cent of the population under 90 years of age, King Adulyadej is the only monarch the vast majority of Thailand’s population have ever known.

Thailand government officials will observe 100 days of mourning during which all citizens are encouraged to wear black attire. The Thai national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the country and at foreign missions abroad for 30-days. Entertainment venues will be closed and the sale of packaged alcohol suspended for an as yet undetermined time.

Prime Minister Chan-o-cha has announced that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will succeed his father as the next King of Thailand, Rama X. When his coronation will take place has not as yet been announced

 

This article was first published on October 12, 2016 as End Of Days: Thailand Prepares For King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Death

 

Editorial Note: The end of days refers to an end of a period of happiness and certainty and future full of the unknown, in much the same way as the Lord Buddha predicted his teachings would be forgotten after 5,000 years, followed by turmoil. There is little doubt that the death of King Adulyadej will have a profound effect on the people of Thailand and usher in an uncertain future. 

AEC News Today was aware of the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej earlier this afternoon. We opted to not publish an update until the death was announced officially several hours later. It is the job of a doctor to pronounce a person dead, not the media. We extend our sincerest sympathies to the people of Thailand at this time of great loss.

 

This article was updated at 10:05am on October 13, 2016: The word posthumously had been incorrectly spelled as post-humorously.

*At 2008 exchange rate

 

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81 Responses to "End of days: Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej dead"

  1. Piraporn   October 12, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Royal Thsi government haven’t announce any news. how dare u wrote the news about this, this is unacceptable. You should apologize to all of us Thai people

    Reply
    • Sara   October 13, 2016 at 11:56 pm

      Are you saying that you don’t have an individual mind and all Thai people share the same brain. You can have your opinion, but you don’t speak for other people.

      Reply
  2. padsawad   October 12, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    Thai government have not announce anything related to His Royal Highness King Bhumibol condition. Therefore, as my point of view your headline news is quite inappropriate and it shown your lack of professionalism. Please consider feeling of Thai people who reading this news.

    Reply
  3. Tanawad   October 12, 2016 at 6:15 pm

    The Thai’s government has not yet announced the further news related to his royal highness King Bhumiphol ‘s health. So the headline news is quite inappropriate. The writer should be more considerate.

    Reply
  4. Sans Chueng   October 12, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    I am very angry and disappointed in the words of choice you chose for this story. This matter is very important for Thai citizen since it is a very sensitive matter for all of us. At this crucial time, praying and hoping for our beloved King’s recovery is what Thai people are doing, not your headline “End of days….” Yes, I am well aware of the situation and even though the story you provided is true, but the headline is truly unacceptable. It could easily mislead others. As a news source where everyone can access, I would like to recommend you to pay close attention and be very carefully of the subject.

    Reply
  5. Narakorn   October 12, 2016 at 7:25 pm

    before you dispatch the story please check carefully and what the truth story is. Our King Bhumibol still be healthy and recover from his illness.
    *uck your story.

    Reply
  6. Aries K   October 12, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Please very respectful to Thailand & our belove monarchy before publication. This should be honestly to all publications.

    Reply
  7. Ducky Duckman   October 12, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    With the greatest of respect, one has to prepare for such tragic events. Nothing is permanent but in a constant state of flux. And Khun Narakorn, you yourself should be deeply ashamed of using the “F” word on a topic as sensitive as this. It would appear that you are no wiser than the author.

    Reply
  8. Dr   October 12, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    *uck you the editor. Hope you prepare for your father’s death soon!

    Reply
  9. Kittipol   October 12, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    This is not respectful at all ! The words you use , the way you put headline are unacceptable. As Thai ,our king is on top and we hope you guys know this well. We need you to be more professional reporters, not just a news seller!

    Reply
  10. Jim   October 12, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    Fucking using word on your news! Fuck you! Low standard press,.

    Reply
  11. Jingjok   October 12, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    This is quite a professional article, something one is not allowed to read in the Thai press.

    Reply
  12. K   October 12, 2016 at 8:58 pm

    F**ck your headline. F**ck your story. Thai government never announce anything yet. Why write news about this. You should go to die.

    Please respectful my king

    Reply
  13. S.M.   October 12, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    And the award for tonight’s best ostrich goes to…

    Reply
  14. kwang kornchanok   October 12, 2016 at 9:21 pm

    Please show your respect to our King and respect the love of Thais to our King! You should remove your unacceptable headline.

    Reply
  15. B Ripley   October 12, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    To all the stupid comments coming from Thais – this article was written in the FREE world, where it is normal to state truths, potential events and their implications. Getting angry and abusive is not going to persuade FREE people to change their ways.

    Perhaps if one day Thailand develops into a country which values freedom of thought and education, instead of idol worship and superstition, you will understand this.

    Reply
    • Thai person   October 13, 2016 at 12:05 am

      To: B. Ripley & others condescending comments here!!!

      Knowing that Thai people love & revered their King very dearly, there should not be any article that sounded DISRESPECTFUL like this published at this critical time where THAI people are in a sensitive state of mind!

      Do you know that in the United States threatening the President is a class E felony under US Code Title 18, Section 871??? In Germany, Italy, Swiss & Poland it is illegal foreign heads of state publicly!!!
      In Denmark, Netherlands, Norway & Spain you go to jail for Lese Majeste…The lists goes on and on and on…!!!

      Go look it up! Even for others countries there are laws protecting implications of the death of head of state!!!

      Freedom of speech from the FREE people that u are implying is actually a statement of DISRESPECT & not to mention COMMITTING A FELONY!!! So if i were YOU …I’d quickly delete that STUPID COMMENT of YOURS…Good luck being FREE PEOPLE!!! Might end up in JAIL with that mind set!!

      Reply
      • Pla   October 13, 2016 at 1:00 am

        Dear Thai person, I love your comment so much. You’re a hero, at least for me.

      • One of Thai.   October 13, 2016 at 1:13 am

        For all FREE MAN, one day, when your parent curing in the hospital, it’s their “end of the day”, right?

      • Jerry   October 13, 2016 at 3:03 am

        Hell no ! I won’t go to jail coz i don’t live in a disgusting dictatorship of slaves and robots like you. You should go to hell instead for your threats, you are a criminal.

    • Ninja   October 13, 2016 at 10:39 am

      Don’t expect you to understand our feeling as Thai people due to you are not Thai, I don’t have the intention to be disrespectful but I do not think you will find any King that will work for his children( Thai citizens) he been to every single place in Thailand. Even in the place that we a Thai people don’t know off. Therefore please be respectful to our country traditional and culture, the FREE WORLD of your means nothing to me personally. If you don’t have respect for others believe, don’t destroy other people HOPE or BELIEVE by the ” FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESS” if you do so I don’t think you deserved to be in the FREE WORLD or developed countries.

      Cheers

      Reply
      • Sara   October 14, 2016 at 12:05 am

        You clearly don’t have respect for the people in your own country as you seem to think you can speak for all Thai people. Do you respect Thais who DON’T agree with having a monarchy? Do you respect Thai people’s right to criticize the king, the government? You are a foot soldier and that;s all you’ll ever be.

    • Shousiba   October 13, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      Well…for a start, people angry about the title of this post, only because of the wording they use, it’s alright to state the truths, but as a professional editor, don’t you have to watch out your word to people who is really sad at this moment? PLUS, it’s a FREE world, people can express their anger freely as they want, then who gives you the right to say other people’s comments are stupid?

      BTW: when your father is about to pass away…ah i mean “die”, then you may understand more.

      Reply
    • Pam   October 13, 2016 at 4:29 pm

      Well, we complaint against this article because the news is not true. So, you still call the fake news as a news????? What if somebody said your family is preparing for your father’s death, what would you feel? feel that oh, we are living in the FREE WORLD??? SO, if you cannot understand how we respect our KING or how to respect your FATHER, please stay silence.

      Reply
    • Sara   October 13, 2016 at 11:59 pm

      Love your comment!! My sentiments exactly. All people who are beholden to a king, queen, religious icon, etc. are so easily manipulated and fearful.

      Reply
  16. James Willoghby   October 12, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Sadly it comes to us all eventually. I understand that our Thai readers are very sensitive about this subject and of course we hope he recovers his health. But, there is a reality to this and it’s a well balanced article. #LongLiveTheK8ng

    Reply
    • Duck   October 13, 2016 at 12:14 pm

      Reality vs. Virtuality. With an opened mind, I am sure that person would be well prepared for the eventual truth and its grave consequences. Everyone does wish him recovered soon, but the fact is totally a different thing that an opened mind person could accept, while the others deny irrationally. It’s an unbiased article to me and at least it shades some light from outside with freedoms. #LongLiveTheKing

      Reply
  17. superjul   October 12, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    as usual, thai people who have never been exposed to real journalism insult and blame professionals who just do their job. using a F word is the best way to show your lack of culture. facts are facts, the king is incapacitated and close to death. this article explain the constitution and the way it deals with such event, therefore there’s nothing wrong at all with this article. the only unprofessional and low class attitude i see here is from thai people who atttempt to force foreigners living abroad to self censor themselves.

    Reply
    • SuperStupid   October 13, 2016 at 11:13 am

      You said that this is free world so what’s wrong with saying F word? On the other hand l, using the phase EOD to someone who is seriously ill but stills alive is unprofessional, disrespectful, lack of culture and low class.

      BTW, I wonder how your male biological parent F your female biological parent to reproduce the low class creature like you! Rememer
      , this is free world, don’t attempt to force Thai people to sensor th F word here. We have equally right (or more) to said the F word as some stupid foreigners has right to insult some other people death.

      D. your male&female biological parents (if you have one) and wish that their EOD is coming soon. Cheers.

      BTW no sensorship please.

      Reply
  18. Anonymous   October 12, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    Knowing that this is very sensitive matter, I feel only facts should be mentioned and using “end of days” is not appropriate for any individual.

    Reply
  19. Nantida S   October 12, 2016 at 11:13 pm

    For some cultures, F word is so rude word to say with someone. For Thais, it is also so rude that you say someone’s death is close. I think we have to respect our differences of culture. This article will be useless if it can’t be acceptable for many others. With my respectively.

    Reply
  20. Jimmy   October 12, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    .uck your story. Our King is healthy and recovering

    Reply
  21. Pla   October 12, 2016 at 11:47 pm

    NO ONE IS PREPARING FOR HIS DEATH!!! What we are doing right now is sending prayers for his majesty’s health and recovery! Whoever wrote this article is very unprofessional and extremely insensitive to a very delicate and sensitive matter. “End Of Days”?? Yes, End Of Your Writing Days, I hope!!!

    Reply
  22. Anonymous   October 13, 2016 at 12:04 am

    “…Ananda Mahidol, who was proclaimed post-humorously as Rama VIII” Post-humorously?!?!

    Reply
    • Editor   October 13, 2016 at 12:49 am

      On March 2, 1935 the National Assembly and the Thai government elected Prince Ananda Mahidol as the eighth king of the Chakri Dynasty. However, King Mahidol died before being crowned. It wasn’t until August 11, 1946, two months after his death, that King Adulyadej performed a formal posthumous coronation elevating King Mahidol to the status of a full Chakri king.

      Thank you for reading

      Reply
      • Bill Sidhipong   October 13, 2016 at 7:59 am

        You misspelled “posthumous” as “post-humorous” — that’s what the parent comment tried to point out.

      • Editor   October 13, 2016 at 10:10 am

        Thank you for highlighting our error. We apologise for the sloppy copy editing.

        We have corrected the error and noted the correction at the foot of the story.

        Thank you for reading.

      • Anonymous   October 13, 2016 at 11:44 am

        The earlier comment was not for factual inaccuracies, but more for the typo in the article “post-humorously”; it’s spelt “posthumously”! Certainly nothing humorous about this – pre or post!

      • Editor   October 13, 2016 at 12:53 pm

        Thank you. It was also pointed out by someone else. We apologise for our sloppy copy editing.

        The change was made earlier today and noted at the foot of the story.

        Thank you for reading and responding.

  23. ไม่บอกหลอกให้งง   October 13, 2016 at 12:23 am

    คนไทยรักในหลวง

    Reply
  24. Realist   October 13, 2016 at 12:32 am

    Sadly Thais hate the truth as the above posts show. Your laws are not recognised outside of Thailand instead of throwing abuse you should ask yourselves why Thailand needs these draconian LM laws. What’s happened in Bangkok today shows the end is near

    Reply
  25. Pilumpa   October 13, 2016 at 12:33 am

    As usual, some of non-Thais (who may not even know where our beloved country is on the map and no no…this is Thailand not Taiwan!!) take advantage of “free world” quote.

    Pardon us, Thai people, for being so sensitive about topics related to our beloved king. This is purly heart conversation not head conversation.

    I don’t expect you to understand anyway! Just being respectful and truthful, as a human being, is all we ask for.

    Reply
  26. Realist   October 13, 2016 at 1:21 am

    I think anom is talking about how Ananda actually died and the cover up that followed, maybe his and the victims of thammasat uni massacre ghosts are waiting for him.
    Pilumpa the non Thais don’t have information blocked , we have access to diplomatic cables wrote by Thai elite

    Reply
  27. aaajjjds   October 13, 2016 at 1:26 am

    I agreed with Nantida S that F word is rude for most, if not all, cultures. However this article is considered being rude as well for Thai culture.
    Therefore do not be surprised to get this type of feedbacks from those people who offended.
    To superjul, if you truly believe in Free journalism, then you should be open mined to theses feedback, unless you used the word “free’ for your advantage only which is violate the core principle you referred to.

    Reply
  28. Anon   October 13, 2016 at 1:27 am

    I can guarantee that I understand your “beloved country” as much as, or to even deeper extent than, all the Thais who commented do. Yet, I am disappointed in Thais’ lack of courage to perceive the situation realistically and decision to believe in the romanticised story of the monarchy. It was just an excuse to say that “saying someone is dying is not respectful and we all are in a sensitive state of mind”. The author merely speculates on the situation without being brainwashed with all those propaganda. Thais lack the understanding of respecting freedom of speech and, unsurprisingly, with the expected level of intelligence, decided to insult the author with f bomb instead. How thoughtful. You asked the author to be respectful as a human being. Are you being respectful though? Are you though?

    Reply
  29. Bel   October 13, 2016 at 1:55 am

    To writers.. Even if this is your opinion, this matter in Thailand is very sensitive and you wrote this by knowing that. We would expect nothing from foreigners to understand but Thai people respect the King as our father. Therefore, if someone wrote about your father as this article, you would definitely feel offended (if you truely love your father though :)). Our prayers still hope for the recovery of the King, even if there is very less chance. And this headline? It is like your father is in a coma, the doctors are trying their and people are talking to you like he is already dead. Surely destroyed our feelings isn’t it?

    Reply
    • Ed   October 13, 2016 at 7:26 am

      Perhaps if Thailand’s royal palace had historically been more honest about the King’s true state of health our story wouldn’t have come as such a surprise to you. ‘The royal physicians have advised the King to cease all royal duties” clearly states the King is incapable of performing his role and is severely incapacitated. As for your feelings? Everyone dies and one should be prepared to meet such an event head on.

      Thank you for reading

      Reply
  30. B Ripley   October 13, 2016 at 3:15 am

    It’s Thai ignorance and childishness that is reflected here. There should be no twisting of logic, ignoring of facts or special treatment for Thais. These angry reactions simply show an intellectual immaturity which is common in their homeland – in Thailand, the truth is often ignored in favour of saving respect and honour. Unfortunately, in the developed world, this kind of stupidity is the reason that Thais are seen without respect or honour. You would start to get respect if you controlled your childish temper and accepted that the truth will prevail, regardless of how much you try to hide it.

    Reply
    • Pam   October 13, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      Well, we complaint against this article because there is no announcement in Thailand at all. What if somebody said your family is preparing for your father’s death, what would you feel? feel okay with that???? SO, if you cannot understand how we respect our KING or how to respect your FATHER, please stay silence.

      Reply
      • Sara   October 14, 2016 at 12:10 am

        Omg, the “king” is NOT your father. Are you serious? Kings and queens are a man-made construction as a tool control people like you. Clearly it works. You’re a grown-ass adult. Act like one.

  31. anonymous   October 13, 2016 at 3:47 am

    I do understand, that your “newsblog” needs a catchy headline in terms of search engine optimization. But as you can see, you clearly play with thai-peoples feelings on this topic. Even if most in you article is true, such “news” should be handled carefully, even more, if there is no official thai government statement yet. A quality news website would change at least the title. You can see by the comments on your article, that you triggered thai peoples feelings in a bad way. An I say that not as thai citizen, but as a simple farang.

    Reply
    • Editor   October 13, 2016 at 7:22 am

      A quality news site would NOT change the title or a single paragraph of a story simply because people don’t like what they are reading. I suggest you have no idea what a quality news site is and wouldn’t know a quality news site if you ever accidentally stumbled across one. Journalism does not bow down to intimidation or attempts at censorship. That, is the basis of good journalism and a good news site.

      Thank you for reading

      Reply
  32. Sarintira   October 13, 2016 at 7:04 am

    The article shows unprofessional skill of being a journalist, lack of common sense and being simple lazy.

    Reply
  33. mali   October 13, 2016 at 8:38 am

    Fuck you bitch! Edit the header now!

    Reply
  34. Hugo De Vries   October 13, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Excellent article that discusses the power struggle at the top of Thai society – in the royal court circles, the military and government. Interesting legal issues will come into play at the death of the King. Vajiralongkorn has made it very clear recently (with the deliberately outrageous tattoo stunt) that he will refuse to be the next king – he has a life in Germany with his sweetheart and will never give up that life. I think Sirindhorn will act as temporary regent until one of Vajiralongkorn’s sons reaches 18 – and there will be another boy king, just as Bhumibol was a boy king. Perhaps that boy will be king for many decades.

    Reply
  35. Long Live the King   October 13, 2016 at 8:49 am

    First of all, thank you for your frank news. You are right that no Thai news agency publishes this kind of news in our country. Do you want to know why? It’s not becase we are not a free or developed country, but we appreciate “propriety”. The two among other things that unacceptable here are your misled headline and improper published time. If you had more patience and ethics, your news would be valued to the readers rather than being blameworthy like this. Lastly, I believe we, Thais, know our country and aware of the current situation more than any outsiders. Thank you.

    Reply
  36. Be Real   October 13, 2016 at 8:56 am

    You fcking assholes, writing sh*t where you guys know nothing about it.
    And those outsider who don’t even realize how important this matter is, please keep you thought shut and live in your mom’s womb

    Reply
  37. Thai   October 13, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Royal Thai government haven’t announce any news. how dare u wrote the news about this, this is unacceptable. You should apologize to all of us Thai people.

    Reply
  38. LLTK   October 13, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Pla,

    I’m in Thailand now and many Thai people are buying black shirts. This is incorrect to say no one is preparing for the worst. My heart goes out to all of Thailand and it’s people your king is an amazing man and I am here in BKK praying with you.

    Reply
  39. Kulasingam   October 13, 2016 at 11:01 am

    Please don’t ever gave any fake statement about Thai King….. I’m as Malaysian also feel unhealthy and unhappy to hear this kind of statement…. please sir(editor), don’t release this kind of statement…. It’s very painful for all. Please respect Thai people feeling…

    Reply
  40. พิม ม.   October 13, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Correct. !!! I love my king

    Reply

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