The king’s in charge?

PPT was quite stunned to read a recent report in The Nation regarding the flood situation in the south.

While we understand that the language used in the report might reflect the kind of reporting that has been “learned” in the mainstream media, that language is astonishing for its royalism. Indeed, it makes it seem like Thailand is some kind of feudal state led by a monarch.

At a government meeting on southern floods, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was joined by Air Chief Marshal Satitpong Sukvimol, the King’s Principal Private Secretary and permanent secretary of the Royal Household Bureau. The latter sat in on the meeting, sitting on the premier’s right at the head of the table.

The King’s private secretary made several points for the king to the deputy prime ministers and heads of key government agencies who attended.

Clipped from The Nation

The Nation reported it all this way:

Before the meeting began, ACM Satitpong conveyed His Majesty the King’s message expressing deep concern for the people affected by the severe flooding in the South. His Majesty has instructed that all necessary assistance be provided to those in distress, and ordered the full mobilisation of civilian, military, police and administrative resources.

The King also directed that boats be deployed to evacuate residents from dangerous areas to safe zones, and that food, drinking water and essential supplies be delivered swiftly. The Royal Thai Navy, Royal Thai Air Force and Interior Ministry have been tasked with coordinating precise and rapid support for affected communities.

His Majesty additionally expressed appreciation for volunteer groups nationwide who have stepped forward to help not only in the South but in previous crises across the country.

This reporting has the king ordering the mobilization of civilian, military, police and administrative resources. In addition, he directed that boats be deployed to evacuate residents, and that food, drinking water and essential supplies be delivered swiftly.

As we understand the old junta’s constitution, except for his palace affairs, the king’s power to order or direct government agencies is strictly limited. Section 3 states that “The King as Head of State shall exercise such power through the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the Courts in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”

While we don’t see it mentioned in this report, Section 172 gives the king powers for the “purpose of maintaining national or public safety or national economic security, or averting public calamity … an Emergency Decree which shall have force as an Act.” But this requires that the “Council of Ministers is of the opinion that it is an emergency of necessity and urgency which is unavoidable…”. The decree then goes to parliament for ratification.

Again, we haven’t seen it, but Section 175 allocates the king “ the Royal Prerogative to issue a Royal Decree which is not contrary to the law.”

In other words, we do not see that the king has any constitutional authority for issuing orders and directions to civilians or the civil and military bureaucracy.

Yet, as we have seen previously, no one seems prepared to reprimand the king when he oversteps. Rather, “independent” agencies, courts, and political leaders have been content to grovel before the king and to allow him to overstep his legal constraints. In this case, the language of the report suggests that the king is running the government.