“when King Vajiralongkorn is on the throne the the balance between affection and evaluation will shift dramatically…”
To be honest, I am not sure if this would happen. I don’t think the elites would let that happen, and if they don’t let that happen, I don’t think the majority of Thais would mind.
It is true that Princess Sirindhorn is a female and she has no children. Hence, if she becomes the next Monarch, that means she would likely be the last Monarch of the dynasty. But at least the Monarchy would be able to step down from Thai politics gracefully after Sirindhorn’s death. And that means at least ten more years for the elites to enjoy their elitistic status behind Sirindhorn’s shadow. With Vajiralongkorn becoming King, I think the Monarchy would collapse half way. It won’t survive.
Curious choice of the verb ‘domesticate’ by Andrew Walker and I think the ‘slur’ was intentional, considering Walker’s voluminous past narratives directed to embarrass the Thai royals.
As the article itself notes, there was zero effort to promote the crown prince’s birthday – I walked across Sanam Luang myself that day, and had no idea what was going on. Once he becomes king, however, the propaganda machine will presumably kick into gear. At that point, 99 percent of royalists / salim will have lived their entire lives without ever entertaining the possibility of a role model outside the palace.
Andrew’s speculation may well be correct, and I can see why he believes it to be true. I’m just pointing out that it remains speculative.
“Political attitudes are always formed within networks of power, persuasion and coercion”.
Yes, that’s true but they’re also hegemonic, historical and struggled over. They are not fixed or outside of history, however “natural” they may appear to be. Furthermore, the kind of political attitudes you mention can manifest themselves in their most extreme forms at particular moments of hegemonic crisis.
Whilst it’s certain that the Thai monarchy holds a fair amount of residual cultural, social and political power it is equally certain this is in crisis even as people rally around the yellow flag for one last swansong.
Malaysia’s ruling regime is such a waste of tax payer’s money that the 9 royal families pale by comparison.
Have a read though, of this book, and tell me do you think whether there are enough “Red Shirts” in Malaysia, and should the 9 royal families be worried?
I guess all personality cults do carry with them the notion that there is real affection instilled for a leader.
As Wikipedia has it: “A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized, heroic, and, at times god-like public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.”
All those North Koreans crying when their Dear Leader passed weren’t, at that moment, coerced but no doubt felt real esteem for their departed hero.
The question raised about whether ultra-royalism gets more extreme is a useful one, especially as yet another period of confrontation and crisis looms for 2013.
With Nine (9!)Malaysian royal families reigning, am not sure what Gregore Lopez is worried about.
But if those Nine reigning Malaysian royal families are each getting a healthy slice of the Malaysian Royal Budget, then yes Gregore Lopez should be worried . . . irrespective of whether or not, and when, Thailand’s monarchy end.
How could anything belonging to government can be considered credible anymore in view of the massive censorship and control (read bias) over such public institutions from mainstream media to survey agencies. Have an independent institution conduct any such polls and data release would be more representative and trust worthy
“when King Vajiralongkorn is on the throne the the balance between affection and evaluation will shift dramatically…”
That’s an empirical question, not an assumption to be thrown out casually. What if the royal adulation turns out to be indeed uncritical? As your article suggests, that’s impossible to calibrate at the moment. We can only wait and see.It is rash to build elaborate theories on such assumptions.
The Red Shirts have shown a maturing development of tactics, first by staying away from Pitak Siam and then by absenting themselves from this event (apart from an unfortunate street vendor who chose the wrong site big time: “Trader Mobbed by Royalists”)
It will be interesting to see if the Red Shirts can mobilise the promised 400,000 at their rally in Hat Yai on 21 December.
Thein Sein, the guy who can’t reign in his army in the Kachin State after he declares a ceasefire? I think the Kachins will want some army officers there as well, and see some troop movement away from the Kachin positions before they’ll even consider talks.
Thanks for posting this — a very interesting piece. Conceptions of the spirit world play an important role in Thai social life, yet they’re ignored in most works on Thai politics. I look forward to reading more from the book.
In this post, I would only like to offer a solution to the present situation. There is danger in putting a nuclear powerplant in a residential area. I suggest that Lynas builds the facility in a relatively isolated area of Malaysia or Australia so that civilian exposure to radioactivity will remain as low as possible.
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Domesticating royal power
The king is truly “highly revered.” It is not like Assad in Syria as Lisa Wedeen’s book, Ambiguities of Domination, explains.
Domesticating royal power
“when King Vajiralongkorn is on the throne the the balance between affection and evaluation will shift dramatically…”
To be honest, I am not sure if this would happen. I don’t think the elites would let that happen, and if they don’t let that happen, I don’t think the majority of Thais would mind.
It is true that Princess Sirindhorn is a female and she has no children. Hence, if she becomes the next Monarch, that means she would likely be the last Monarch of the dynasty. But at least the Monarchy would be able to step down from Thai politics gracefully after Sirindhorn’s death. And that means at least ten more years for the elites to enjoy their elitistic status behind Sirindhorn’s shadow. With Vajiralongkorn becoming King, I think the Monarchy would collapse half way. It won’t survive.
Just be two cents, though.
Domesticating royal power
Mr. Walker, I have a Thai translation of your “Domesticating” article. Pls contact if interested.
Domesticating royal power
Curious choice of the verb ‘domesticate’ by Andrew Walker and I think the ‘slur’ was intentional, considering Walker’s voluminous past narratives directed to embarrass the Thai royals.
Domesticating royal power
As the article itself notes, there was zero effort to promote the crown prince’s birthday – I walked across Sanam Luang myself that day, and had no idea what was going on. Once he becomes king, however, the propaganda machine will presumably kick into gear. At that point, 99 percent of royalists / salim will have lived their entire lives without ever entertaining the possibility of a role model outside the palace.
Andrew’s speculation may well be correct, and I can see why he believes it to be true. I’m just pointing out that it remains speculative.
Domesticating royal power
Andrew writes
“Political attitudes are always formed within networks of power, persuasion and coercion”.
Yes, that’s true but they’re also hegemonic, historical and struggled over. They are not fixed or outside of history, however “natural” they may appear to be. Furthermore, the kind of political attitudes you mention can manifest themselves in their most extreme forms at particular moments of hegemonic crisis.
Whilst it’s certain that the Thai monarchy holds a fair amount of residual cultural, social and political power it is equally certain this is in crisis even as people rally around the yellow flag for one last swansong.
Lynas – with love from Perth!
An independent analysis of the Lynas plant in Malaysia – and its social and economic impacts.
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/07/rare-earths-in-malaysia/
Domesticating royal power
lol..
Malaysia’s ruling regime is such a waste of tax payer’s money that the 9 royal families pale by comparison.
Have a read though, of this book, and tell me do you think whether there are enough “Red Shirts” in Malaysia, and should the 9 royal families be worried?
http://www.newmandala.org/2011/09/09/review-of-palace-political-party-and-power-tlcnmrev-xxviii/
Domesticating royal power
I guess all personality cults do carry with them the notion that there is real affection instilled for a leader.
As Wikipedia has it: “A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized, heroic, and, at times god-like public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.”
All those North Koreans crying when their Dear Leader passed weren’t, at that moment, coerced but no doubt felt real esteem for their departed hero.
The question raised about whether ultra-royalism gets more extreme is a useful one, especially as yet another period of confrontation and crisis looms for 2013.
Next stop? Laiza?
indeed! and in the meanwhile dosens of chinese *buy* myanmar id-cards in Muse every day.
Domesticating royal power
There’s a certain amount of empirical evidence to support Andrew’s assertion:
“Not So Happy Birthdays”
Domesticating royal power
Sorry, Hat Yai should read Khao Yai.
Domesticating royal power
With Nine (9!)Malaysian royal families reigning, am not sure what Gregore Lopez is worried about.
But if those Nine reigning Malaysian royal families are each getting a healthy slice of the Malaysian Royal Budget, then yes Gregore Lopez should be worried . . . irrespective of whether or not, and when, Thailand’s monarchy end.
Domesticating royal power
Wonder what the implications would be on Malaysia’s 9 royal families should the monarchy end in Thailand?
Foreign workers strike, Singaporeans stare
How could anything belonging to government can be considered credible anymore in view of the massive censorship and control (read bias) over such public institutions from mainstream media to survey agencies. Have an independent institution conduct any such polls and data release would be more representative and trust worthy
Domesticating royal power
“when King Vajiralongkorn is on the throne the the balance between affection and evaluation will shift dramatically…”
That’s an empirical question, not an assumption to be thrown out casually. What if the royal adulation turns out to be indeed uncritical? As your article suggests, that’s impossible to calibrate at the moment. We can only wait and see.It is rash to build elaborate theories on such assumptions.
Domesticating royal power
The Red Shirts have shown a maturing development of tactics, first by staying away from Pitak Siam and then by absenting themselves from this event (apart from an unfortunate street vendor who chose the wrong site big time: “Trader Mobbed by Royalists”)
It will be interesting to see if the Red Shirts can mobilise the promised 400,000 at their rally in Hat Yai on 21 December.
Next stop? Laiza?
Thein Sein, the guy who can’t reign in his army in the Kachin State after he declares a ceasefire? I think the Kachins will want some army officers there as well, and see some troop movement away from the Kachin positions before they’ll even consider talks.
The power of spirits
Thanks for posting this — a very interesting piece. Conceptions of the spirit world play an important role in Thai social life, yet they’re ignored in most works on Thai politics. I look forward to reading more from the book.
Lynas – with love from Perth!
In this post, I would only like to offer a solution to the present situation. There is danger in putting a nuclear powerplant in a residential area. I suggest that Lynas builds the facility in a relatively isolated area of Malaysia or Australia so that civilian exposure to radioactivity will remain as low as possible.