Black Party Dresses

Unprecedented outpouring of public grief over the death of Thailand’s king has begun to show signs that it could turn nasty after a series of incidents in which angry citizens have turned on those perceived as not showing the correct levels of respect to the late monarch. On two occasions since the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej last Thursday mobs of angry people have gathered to demand summary justice under Thailand’s strict lese majeste laws which are designed to prevent behaviour and speech critical of the Thai royal family. When parliament will invite him to ascend the throne, the Crown Prince -who due to his chequered past and the fact that he has lived dozens of his life outside Thailand commands little of the respect and affection his father built up during his more than seven decade reign -wants to leave the formal succession until later. Did you know that the Koh Samui incident stemmed from a social media posting by a woman which had been perceived as defamatory against the king’s heir, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn -who is yet to formally ascend to the vacant throne -and the country’s acting regent, 96yearold former Prime Minister, Prem Tinsulanonda.