OCTOBER 26 — On October 13, King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away peacefully. The news was not as much a shock to his people as it was in the realisation “this dreaded moment” had actually arrived.
One day earlier, the statement from the Royal Household Bureau had described Bhumibol’s condition as remaining unstable. Clearly, the decision was to tell it as it is. I thought it was a well-weighed choice.
The king, also known as Rama IX, came from a long reign of Chakri kings, beginning in 1782.
Ascension intrigue theories abound
When Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha announced Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn requested for time to ascend the throne, I thought this could give rise to ascension intrigue theories. Why? Bhumibol had taken over the reigns on June 9, 1946, the same day his brother King Ananda Mahidol was found dead.
Could it possibly be connected to the prince’s erstwhile rather “un-princely” lifestyle? Was this a “time-buying” ploy for behind the scenes machinations? After all, the constitution was amended in 1974 allowing the Privy Council to appoint a princess, and even though subsequent amendments were made, the female succession clause stayed intact.
I think it was the very next day Prem Tinsulanonda, as the president of the Privy Council, was appointed Regent. The fact he is 96 years old did help fuel the intrigue even more. Why draw out a man who’s nearly a century old?
It didn’t help there was insufficient emphasis to explain internationally that constitutionally “if the king is incapacitated or for whatever reason and cannot appoint a regent … the president of the Privy Council shall be the regent pro tempore”.
This was merely to ensure state affairs continue uninterrupted.
Then, I read of some speculative reports including one from our local vernacular daily, which suggested strongly Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn would be crowned the new ruler of Thailand.
Sirindhorn, Bhumibol’s third child, is highly popular and in the public perception index, one could say the brother and sister are on opposite poles.
However, I am on good authority to state there was absolutely no intrigue even though any decent political thriller writer could find enough material in the last two weeks for a superb plot.
Unfortunately, for the purveyors of intrigue, matters happened exactly as the official communique conveyed.
I suspect things will unfurl in a matter of days, maybe as early as Friday, 15 days from the king’s demise. The authorities (palace included) had decided to hold true to Bhumibol’s wish when he appointed Vajiralongkorn as the Crown Prince in 1972. The king, after all, had 44 years to change his mind if he had thought necessary.
What does this new era hold?
Constitutional monarchy or otherwise, Bhumibol was like no other king or ever will be. How did he sustain a role with such huge informal power and influence for 70 long years?
If the Thai political elitists have found the perfect formula in managing relations with the palace, now that the occupant has changed, can they expect the same rules to stay? I think so. I think all participants will make it work both in the memory of Bhumibol and for overall equilibrium.
The king is dead. "Long live the king" has zero-resonance in this instance. I think Vajiralongkorn exhibited sheer astuteness in declining the throne to allow an appropriate time lapse for mourning. It is obvious to all the idolatry had been towards Bhumibol as king and not necessarily the throne per se.
One thing for sure, the prince wouldn’t even try to emulate in the style or manner of his father. How can anyone copy an “institution”? I can see him as a “big brother king” to Bhumibol’s “father king”.
Contrary to conventional thinking, i.e. he wasn’t focused on his crown prince duties, but the fact he was away from the palace trappings means he was in direct connectivity with common folk. He also got to read what he wanted to read and socialise as he pleases.
He knows the ways of the world outside the palace — first hand. Those experiences add up to making informed decisions as King Vajiralongkorn. He is 64 years old, after all.
It is the end of an era, but I don’t think there will be a major shift with Rama X, perhaps only in style.
Postscript
In 13 days, Americans will vote in their new president and for the rest of the world, probably the last stand-alone pre-eminent head of government. The next United States president would have to share honours with China’s president.
The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia made us infamous the world over for a few days. Well, what’s done is done. Let’s hope this huge-budgeted agency won’t continue with another strange pronouncement so soon.
I believe if one is guided by truly good intents, however one falters, one’s face never lands in the mud.
* Datuk Lee Yew Meng is the CEO of Genovasi Malaysia
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
