King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has been residing at a hotel in Germany’s Bavarian Alps since theCOVID19 outbreak spread to Thailand in March. However, the Thai monarch’s stay at a luxury getaway is not the only reason why he is being criticized at home and in Germany.
According to reports in Thailand and major news publications in Germany, King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been isolating with an entourage of at least 100 people and a harem of 20 women And thus has broken a string of public health laws concerning COVID-19 that ordinary citizens are expected to follow.
Many critics have denounced the king for failing to show leadership and responsibility at a time when not only the country’s public health but also its economy has been hit hard. COVID-19 has kept tourists away, given that the industry contributes to approximately 20% of Thailand’s GDP.
Thai and German activists protested against the Thai king outside the Grand SonnenbichlHotel in Bavaria where the monarch had been staying with his entourage. The activists also projected messages onto the exterior of the hotel. “Why does Thailand need a king who lives in Germany?”
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Thai Airways, the country’s national airline, suspended all flights to Europe. Notable exceptions were those to Munich and Zurich, which critics say are the Thai king’s favored destinations for his jaunts with his entourage that usually include women.
The king has been criticized for violating Thailand’s lockdown rules in early April when he briefly interrupted his vacation in Germany and returned to Bangkok for a trip that lasted only 24 hours.
Observers believe that the king was obliged to return because he was required to attend an official ceremony to mark the founding of his dynasty. The king flying back to Germany in 24 hours, Prompted a flood of criticism on Thai social media with the hashtag #WhyDoWeNeedAKing becoming one of the top trends on the social media platform.
Criticism against THAILAND’S monarch is not new, Observers say that Thailand’s present monarch King MahaVajiralongkorn is also not widely respected by many in the country, in part due to his conduct that many believe does not befit a monarch. There have been a string of controversies that have chased Maha Vajiralongkorn even before he ascended the throne in 2016.
Thailand’s laws make it a criminal offense to defame, insult, or threaten the king, queen, and heir-apparent. Critics say these laws have also been misused by the royal family to silence criticism and calls for accountability. The laws have also been used to arrest and bring criminal charges against foreign nationals who have been critical of the Thai royal family. Despite these harsh laws, there had been increasing discontent among the younger generation in Thailand. Who does not look at the royal family with the same deference as their parents or grandparents
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