Unprecedented open criticism of king aired at Thai protest Student leaders in Thailand have delivered an unprecedented challenge to the country’s constitutional monarchy on Monday, strongly criticizing the king and demanding changes to lessen what they believe is its anti-democratic naturePATHUM THANI, Thailand -- Student leaders in Thailand delivered an unprecedented challenge to the country’s constitutional monarchy on Monday, strongly criticizing the king and demanding changes to lessen what they believe is its anti-democratic nature. The monarchy is the country's most revered institution and regarded as beyond censure. But questioning of its privileged position has grown since the 2016 accession to the throne of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, whose much-admired father King Bhumibol Adulyadej ruled for seven decades. An announcement that a new protest would be held on Wednesday — the Queen Mother’s birthday — seemed likely to provoke royalists even more. Arnon had just a week earlier openly but narrowly questioned the extent of the king’s powers at a much smaller protest.

Source: ABC News August 10, 2020 18:45 UTC