King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in 2008. Credit David Longstreath/Associated Press

What the Death of Thailand’s King Means, and What’s Next

New York Times | 13 October 2016

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history, died Thursday at age 88. His death, and the transition of power, could become a turning point for a country ruled by a military junta and long divided by rival political factions.

What power did the king have?

As head of state and the military, King Bhumibol endorsed the appointment of high-ranking government and military officials. The military government that has ruled the country since taking power in a coup two years ago claimed legitimacy from the king’s endorsement. The king was a symbol of national unity and viewed with great affection by the people of Thailand. His portrait hangs from buildings, in schools and along highways across the country.

Who succeeds him?

Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, was appointed by King Bhumibol as the crown prince in 1972. The king’s only son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn is seen by many as a playboy living a jet-setter lifestyle in Europe. That reputation has prompted speculation that the 2014 coup may have been an attempt by the military to tighten its grip on the government before his ascension and ensure a smooth transition.

Where does the military stand?

In 2014, the junta overthrew the elected government for the second time in a decade and suspended most of the Constitution. Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha was installed as the prime minister and chief of the junta, a move that the king blessed. The coup was seen as a victory for the political elite and a defeat for a rising populist movement.

In August, voters backed a new Constitution, written by the military, that reduces the power of political parties and gives the military the authority to appoint members of the Senate. The junta restricted political assemblies and criticism of the referendum in the months leading up to the vote. As many as 120 people were jailed by the ruling generals.

What happens next?

Past deaths of members of the royal family have included a period in which the body has lain in state and 100 days of mourning, followed by a six-day ceremony. But whether that happens this time and what other plans there may be are unknown, in large part because of the country’s strict lèse-majesté law, which makes it a crime to insult members of the royal family but in practice makes it difficult to even talk about them. There have been no official statements about preparations or succession planning.