TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Prime Minister Thailand urged moviegoers not to abandon the decades-old tradition of standing en masse to honor the country’s reigning monarch as long as the royal anthem is played before films are shown.
That statement appeared when the King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 69, is in Germany on his first documented trip abroad since pro-democracy protests last year turned into previously unthinkable open criticism of the monarchy, including questioning his absence in Thailand.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed concern that some Thais are now “afraid” to honor the royal national anthem, the latest sign of change in a kingdom where the king is constitutionally highly respected.
“I am concerned about those who want to stand up, but are afraid because they don’t want to be disturbed. It takes courage to stand up,” Prayuth said in a speech at the National Defense College, Thursday, November 11, 2021, as quoted by Reuters.
In theaters across the country, moviegoers for decades stood as the royal anthem played, accompanied by a video of the king’s accomplishments, just before the film started.
But these days, many remain seated.
On Wednesday, the Thai government also defended a law punishing perpetrators of defamation of the monarchy to 15 years in prison, despite UN member states expressing concern over these human rights abuses.
Since the protests began last year, at least 156 people have been charged under the royal insult law, the Thai Human Rights Lawyers group said.
Among the protesters’ complaints are the new powers King Vajiralongkorn has amassed – including direct control of the kingdom’s vast wealth and command of two armies – as well as his long time abroad since taking the throne in 2016 after his highly respected father died.
This week, King Vajiralongkorn and his entourage were spotted at an airport hotel outside Munich, German tabloid image report on Wednesday.
It is not clear how long he will stay in Germany.
The king has traditionally presided over a Buddhist ceremony in Bangkok scheduled for late November.
Palace could not be reached for comment on Thursday and has never answered questions about timing King of Thailand abroad. He has repeatedly refused to comment on the protests.
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