The long reign of Thailand’s King Bhumibol is coming to an end. Meanwhile, the country is stuck in a perpetual political crisis: Royalists try to keep the monarchy at the apex of the Thai order while supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seem content with a civilian leader as an alternative to the king. The toppling of Thaksin in a royally sanctioned coup in 2006 led to violent confrontations between both these groups. Working Towards the Monarchy analyzes what Bhumibol’s devotees are afraid of losing once the king dies. With reference to Ian Kerhsaw’s concept “Working Towards ... More

The long reign of Thailand’s King Bhumibol is coming to an end. Meanwhile, the country is stuck in a perpetual political crisis: Royalists try to keep the monarchy at the apex of the Thai order while supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seem content with a civilian leader as an alternative to the king. The toppling of Thaksin in a royally sanctioned coup in 2006 led to violent confrontations between both these groups. Working Towards the Monarchy analyzes what Bhumibol’s devotees are afraid of losing once the king dies. With reference to Ian Kerhsaw’s concept “Working Towards the Führer”, the book emphasizes the importance of Bhumibol’s charisma as a source of legitimacy for individual endeavors. Charisma is a two-way street; people help construct royal charisma by giving honor to the monarchy, and try to draw on that charisma by association. The group most active in this process is big business, leading to a very close and mutually advantageous relationship between royalty and capital. This relationship is mapped in concrete in the commercial center of Bangkok, which has consequently become the focus of the political conflict generated by social tensions.