Network monarchy
The network monarchy (
Definitions
The term network monarchy was coined by
Federico Ferrara claimed, shortly before the
Asa Kumpha, Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University, attempted to give an analytical study on the relationship between the network monarchy and the Thai elite network. His study found the formation and dynamics of the network monarchy that correlates to the royal hegemony of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in each period. Asa noted that the consensus among the Thai elite is essential for the network.[4][5][6]
Background
Since
The network's ability to exercise power is based partly on Bhumibol's popularity and strict control of Bhumibol's popular image. According to Jost Pachaly of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Bhumibol "plays an important role behind the scenes. But the role is difficult to assess because nothing is reported about it and no one really knows anything specific", due to lèse-majesté laws forbidding discussion about Bhumibol's political activities.[7] Bhumibol's popularity was demonstrated following the 2003 Phnom Penh riots in Cambodia, when hundreds of Thai protesters, enraged by rumors that Cambodian rioters had stomped on photographs of Bhumibol, gathered outside the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok. Photographs of the stomping were not published in Thailand, but were available on the internet. The situation was resolved peacefully only when Police General Sant Sarutanonda told the crowd that he had received a call from royal secretary Arsa Sarasin conveying Bhumibol's request for calm. The crowd dispersed.[8]
Bhumibol reign
Nishizaki commented that the prime minister
Vajiralongkorn reign
In 2020, Supalak Ganjanakhundee of the
Further studies
In 2017, Thongchai Winichakul, renowned historian, stated that the network monarchy relies on a charismatic monarch, which leads to unstable institutions that rely on individuals. He questioned whether Thai political system may be working as an absolute monarchy in disguise.[11]
In 2020, Nishizaki commented that the vast personal network credited to Bhumibol was not his creation alone but rather an expansion of royal family ties forged decades earlier. Rather than inventing the network monarchy, Nishizaki argues that Bhumibo simply expanded the political resources he inherited for his own purposes.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "เปิดงานวิจัย ป. เอก ศึกษา "ข้าราชการสายวัง" และ "เครือข่ายในหลวง" ร.9". BBC News ไทย.
- ^ S2CID 144748431.
- ^ Ferrara, Federico (2010). "Thailand unhinged: unraveling the myth of a Thai-style democracy". Equinox Pub.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ISBN 9786167667973.
- ISSN 1686-0667.
- ^ "วิทยานิพนธ์ ป.เอกนำดูลักษณะ-ความเปลี่ยนแปลงชนชั้นนำเครือข่ายในหลวง ร.9". prachatai.com (in Thai). 2019.
- ^ DW.de, Thai monarchy a hindrance to democracy?, 28 January 2013
- ^ "The Burning of the Thai Embassy in Cambodia". The Nation, 2Bangkok.com. 2003. Archived from the original on 26 June 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2006.
- ^ "Banharn's path from local 'influential person' to Prime Minister". Prachatai English.
- ^ Ganjanakhundee, Supalak. "Red Rim Soldiers: the birth of the new network monarchy". Prachatai English. Prachatai.
- ^ "Absolute monarchy in disguise?". Prachatai English.
- ^ "Thailand's network monarchy revisited". New Mandala. 23 October 2020.