Thailand’s king works to bolster his image as protests set to continue

After political and economic instability saw unprecedented demands for reform of the Thai monarchy, King Maha Vajiralongkorn is seeking to burnish his image in what is shaping up as another year of tension in the country.

While some recovery is forecast for 2021, it is set to be relatively anaemic for an economy that has been sluggish for years. A new wave of coronavirus infections has seen an extension of a state of emergency until the end of February. Meanwhile, Thailand’s biggest opposition party plans to pursue a no-confidence vote against the government for its alleged “mismanagement” of the country, including the Covid-19 response.

Looming over everything is the months of rallies where protesters have openly criticised the monarchy, Thailand’s most powerful institution. Right now the streets are relatively quiet – with small protests over the weekend – but student leaders have vowed to return until their demands are addressed: less royal power, a more democratic constitution and the resignation of Prayuth, a former army chief who staged a coup in 2014.

Vajiralongkorn has boosted his presence in Thailand since the unrest broke out. He returned in October from Germany, where he had spent much of his reign. The king and his entourage have since attended religious ceremonies, handed out diplomas to graduates, greeted kneeling supporters clad in yellow shirts, and even swept the floor at one of his charity projects.