'Young Thais continue to reject the royal family's exalted position'

Portraits of the Thai royal family at the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok.

Thailand is seeing 'startling evidence of a diminishing reverence for the monarchy'

(Image credit: Andy Soloman / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

published 14 August 2024

'Thailand's royal spell has been broken'

Pavin Chachavalpongpun at The New York Times

Thailand is seeing the "beginning of the end for the Thai royalty's once-commanding hold over its subjects," says Pavin Chachavalpongpun. There has been a "last-gasp attempt by the old guard to cling to an outdated status quo despite demands for change by millions of politically literate young Thais." The "rejection of norms that loomed so large in daily life for generations is startling evidence of a diminishing reverence for the monarchy."

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Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.