In Thailand, the King is Respected Even in the Tabloids

Even though the Thai filmmakers are nowadays making films even about the shameful prostitution, there is still one institution in Thailand that cannot be critisized. The king of Thailand and his family live on a pedestal, and their criticism is prohibited by law.

The European monarchies can only dream about the protection the Thai king has against the mockery of the citizens. In the Western countries, you receive applause for hanging a dummy depicting the king at a public place; in Thailand, you are sent to jail.

”Religion, king and the nation are the most important institutions in the Thai society. Actually, the king has become more and more important”, says director Chalida Uabumrungjit from Thailand.

Indeed: in Thailand, there seems to be more smiling king figures than smiling buddha statues. One can’t help thinking of the images of Saddam Hussein that were torn down on the streets of Baghdad when the dictator fell.

However, one cannot compare the Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej to the despotic dictator.

A Thai man selling frmed pictures of the royal family on the island of Koh Tao.

”Many Thais like the king and respect him”, says Chalida. He admits that he, too, has a calendar that depicts the king.

The phenomenon has its historical reasons, but Chalida also sees it as a part of the Thai way of thinking, which idaelises conservatism and conciliatory spirit.

Setting the royal family above the people and accepting the authority is part of the image that the Thais want to give of themselves: happy and continually smiling.

Read more
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