Gift from above: Thailand’s constitution
Today King Vajiralongkorn, or Rama X, will sign the 20th constitution since the absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932. The country’s most regressive charter yet will mark an end to the military junta’s direct and illegitimate rule, paving the way for an election, eventually. The generals rammed through a version of the charter in a tightly controlled referendum in August; Thais will not know how royal tinkering will change it. Nor have the ten “organic” laws defining the country’s new military-guided electoral authoritarianism been written yet. And in any case nothing will happen until after the cremation of King Bhumibol, late this year, and the coronation of his successor. Such uncertainty will not dampen celebrations: the constitution’s signing coincides with the 235th birthday of Rama X’s Chakri dynasty. Officials will beat gongs and blow trumpets, and the armed forces that have been running things since 2014 can finally open fire—for a 21-gun salute.
Source: The Economist Espresso
