“.....a moral authority who stepped in repeatedly over the years to unify the country....”
But don’t you dare criticize him.
Stories like these are why I want no part with the outside world..hope were not sending them foreign aid.
Thailand's deep reverence for the King, together with the associated lèse-majesté laws, constitutes a socio-political "tradeoff" that has served Thailand well. It's deceptively easy for us foreigners to tut-tut and criticize, but the Thai populace is basically satisfied.
In fact, without the King's moral authority, Thailand almost surely would long ago have been torn apart by civil war and communist guerilla activity. I think the King's role is the main reason that Thailand today is a pretty much a happy and successful country -- as compared to its basket-case nextdoor neighbors, Burma, Laos and Cambodia.
On the other hand, when the King dies and his son assumes the throne, all Hell could break loose. So if you've been postponing a tour of Thailand, best to go soon. Five or ten years from now may be too late. Seriously.