The cult of King Bhumibol as the nation’s unifying factor flourishes here as strongly as ever. Are people getting worried that his disappearance from the scene may create the sort of uncertainty which could spark a conflagration? The Thais are laid back about most things; but when they say “Long Live the King”, they damn well mean it.

– Extracted from Tim Collard, “Thailand goes back to sleep – but for how long?”, The Telegraph, 6 July 2010.