Thailand famously has a powerful monarchy, but what is less well known is that it also has one of Southeast Asia’s oldest republican traditions. Since the rise of the populist nationalist politician, Thaksin Shinawatra, in the early 2000s, uncertainty surrounding the succession, and an unpopular new king, republicanism has revived, this time with more liberal shades. Due to Thailand’s strict lèse majesté law this long republican tradition is not easily acknowledged. Due to Thailand’s strict lèse majesté law this long republican tradition is not easily acknowledged.

Prof. Patrick Jory of University of Queensland examines the long history of this tradition and tries to account for the resilience of Thailand’s monarchy.

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