Oh yeah........October 2007........
This is to believed when it happens. Apparently the U.S. diplomatic corps is viewing the announcement with a bit of incredulity as well. They have suspended a number of planned trade exchanges and the like until the Thai constitution is reestablished as law. My guess is that it won't happen anytime soon.
I find it interesting that you don't question any aspect of this, and think it is a great idea.
The fact is, it is never a great idea to overthrow a democracy (such as it was) in favor of what is essentially a dictatorship with support from someone who calls himself a King. This sort of governance does not bode well for Thailand's future. Apparently the public is fine with it. So I'll leave it there. I'll leave it with no Constitution and only a hope and prayer that the new dictator is a benevolent and kind man, where all these things in a democracy are a matter of rights and depend NOT on the person..
It does not sound like much of a improvement to me.
> with support from someone who calls himself a King <
Please take my word for it:
Your ignorance of Thailand is not only appalling. It's downright embarassing. I say so most seriously, and certainly not in the spirit of a typical FR "flame."
So I ask that you take the following to heart:
If you should query any Thai on their opinion of the King, whether you're talking to the most devout Christian (my Thai wife being one), to a mountain-tribe animist, to a conventional Buddhist or to the most westernized intellectual, they'll express a universal respect and admiration for their King.
There is absolutely no ruler anywhere in the world who commands such true devotion from his countrymen. "Beloved" is a term that only begins to describe the King's standing among his people. And if you were to repeat your description above to any Thai friend, he or she would immediately become your ex-friend.