Page 5 - Thailand Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

THE MONARCHY GOVERNMENT Another stabilizing factor is the overwhelming prestige Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral of the royal family. Although the monarchy was shorn legislature consisting of a Senate appointed by the king of its powers half a century ago, the Thais continue to and a National Assembly elected by the people. The view their king as a near divine being who carries the National Assembly composed primarily of the liberal- real force of governmental power. The present ruler, leaning Chart Thai, Social Action, and Democrat parties, Bhumipol Adulyadej, was born in 1927 in Cambridge, three political groups who often form coalitions to work Massachusetts, where his father was studying medicine with the military. Both chambers elect a prime minister at Harvard University. Not only amiable and who chooses a cabinet of 20 ministers. Thailand's intelligent, he is also a gifted painter and a talented jazz leading political figure of the early 1980s was smiling saxophonist who has led all-star jam sessions with such Prem Tinsulanonda, a handsome enigma who luminaries as band leader Les Brown and singer Patti confounded the critics by holding the job of prime Page. In what is now the longest rein of any Thai king, minister for almost eight years - an amazing Bhumipol has earned immense popularity as the accomplishment when you consider that Thailand since working monarch who guides and unifies the nation as 1932 has suffered through a dozen coups and 13 head of state and protector of national traditions. constitutions. Nineteen eighty-eight proved to be a Based on Thailand's laws of succession, Crown Prince watershed in Thai politics after public pressure for an Maha Vajiralongkorn, the king's only son, will succeed elected leader brought the arrival of Chatichai his father to the throne, although his sister, Princess Choonhavan, a business-minded politician who favors Maha Chakri Sirindorn, enjoys great popularity among democracy over military rule. Chatichai fell from power the Thai people. Portraits of the king, queen, and royal in 1992 during a military coup in which dozens of family are seen everywhere in Thailand. All foreign citizens were murdered near Democracy Monument in visitors are expected to behave respectfully toward the Bangkok. royal family, an acceptable caveat since there is little doubt that the Thai monarchy has earned this honor. Thailand today appears to be moving toward a compromise government of military influence but civilian control. The emerging hierarchy seems to be comprised of freely elected democratic leaders who work with ex-military leaders, the government bureaucracy, and powerful Chinese businessmen who control the economy.