Three Thais accused of insulting monarchy have disappeared, rights groups say
Three Thai activists facing charges of insulting the monarchy have disappeared after reportedly being arrested in Vietnam, rights groups said on Friday, months after two exiled critics of the military and monarchy turned up dead. Thailand's deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, denied the three activists ...
Newly crowned Thai king carried through Bangkok in elaborate royal procession
Thailand's newly crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn was carried by soldiers on a gilded palanquin through the streets of Bangkok Sunday, in front of crowds who craned to witness the historic event. The king, Rama X of the Chakri dynasty, wore a bejewelled robe and broad-brimmed ...
King Maha Vajiralongkorn — Rama X of Thailand — was crowned Saturday in a dazzling show of pageantry, laced with Hindu and Buddhist ritual, vowing to reign "with righteousness" on behalf of the Thai people. Starting at the auspicious time of 10:09 a.m., the public ...
Background on the royal instruments for Thai king's coronation
During Thailand's main coronation event for King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Saturday, the monarch was presented with five royal regalia marking the legitimacy of his reign. Historical evidence suggests the tradition dates back to the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767) of Siam, as Thailand was known. The items were ...
Thailand's king appoints consort as queen ahead of his official coronation
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has appointed his consort as the country's queen ahead of his official coronation on Saturday. An announcement Wednesday in the Royal Gazette said Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya is now legally married to the 66-year-old king and is now Queen Suthida. Although she ...
A hand-drawn map of constellations and planetary orbits shows Thailand in the throes of a "gateway" year of change, says astrologer Pinyo Pongcharoen — one of a legion of fortune tellers sought out by politicians in chaotic and unpredictable times. "The stars are all in ...
A Thai political party leader expressed public contrition on Tuesday for selecting a princess as a candidate for prime minister, days after the move provoked a rebuke from her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Thai Raksa Chart, a party linked to the powerful Shinawatra clan, on ...
The Thai political party that nominated a princess as its candidate for prime minister could be banned from a general election in March after an activist said on Sunday he would file a petition seeking its dissolution. Thailand's Election Commission is to meet on Monday ...
Thailand's chaotic politics took another astonishing turn after the sister of the king made a historic bid to become prime minister, with the monarch calling her effort "inappropriate" because it violated tradition and the constitution, which keep the monarchy from getting involved in politics. The ...
Thailand's royalty made an unprecedented move into politics Friday when the sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn was declared a prime ministerial candidate in a March 24 general election, registration papers showed. The nomination of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, 67, the elder sister of King ...
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn named owner of Chakri dynasty's billions
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been granted full ownership of the palace's billions of dollars worth of assets under a law passed last year, according to a rare "explanatory note" published by the financial arm of the powerful but secretive monarchy. Vajiralongkorn inherited one of ...
A very wealthy monarch grows wealthier
By gaining full control over the Crown Property Bureau, King Vajiralongkorn has taken another step to bolster his authority.
