I saw him up rather close and personal, a few times. We waved to each other once. I just came to appreciate how deeply the Thai people naturally loved and respected Rama 9. Almost the opposite is true with his son. Spooky times ahead for Thailand in the future . Nye anakoat , mai wai....
I totally agree with your opinion on this. My son and his wife lived in Thailand (Chiang Mai) for a year in 2018-2019 and they learned that there are serious penalties for saying anything even remotely critical of the king. When we visited, we saw a great many of the older residents had photos of Rama 9 in their businesses and vehicles. There is no question they loved him (and he loved them back) but feel little affection for his son.
His son is a sad excuse for a King.
> Almost the opposite is true with his son. Spooky times ahead for Thailand in the future. <
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Imperial Russia and Imperial Germany both learned that the hard way. And with Charles in the wings, I suspect the UK will learn it as well.
When I got stationed in Thailand, students were rioting, the military was beating people with batons, and general chaos ensued. After about six weeks of this Rama 9 came out of his palace and said, “Stop it,” and everyone went home.