The King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, saluting his supporters in Bangkok on November 1, 2020. -
Wason Wanichakorn / AP / SIPA
Demonstrations follow one another in Thailand, but this time it is the supporters of King Maha Vajiralongkorn who have taken to the streets.
Thousands of royalists gathered in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Sunday to greet Rama X, his reign name, after months of protests in favor of reform of the monarchy and more democracy.
As thousands of protesters in Thailand demand reform to the monarchy, the King has told Channel 4 News / CNN in an exclusive interview that "we love them all the same" and Thailand is "the land of compromise" - suggesting there may be a way out of the months long political standoff pic.twitter.com/GJoizuYZfz
- Channel 4 News (@ Channel4News) November 1, 2020
In unprecedented statements, King Maha Vajiralongkorn ensured that "Thailand is the land of compromise" when asked by a reporter for the British channel Channel 4 about the protesters calling for reform.
“We love them all the same,” he said.
"We will die faithfully"
Walking through the crowd, the monarch received flowers and signed autographs.
“We will live loyally, we will die faithfully,” chanted the crowd, dressed in yellow, the royal color, as Maha Vajiralongkorn walked up to his supporters to greet them.
" Long live the king !
», They continued.
“We have come to show our loyalty to the king,” explained Bin Bunleurit, a former Thai actor, who denounces the demands of the demonstrators against the regime.
For months, daily rallies have been organized to demand reforms of the monarchy in force in Thailand and the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former military leader who sponsored a coup in 2014. Until now the anti-government protests have been peaceful.
But many students and activists have been arrested and charged, some with sedition.
Very rare statements
The very strong taboos that govern Thai society prohibit Thais from speaking or questioning the monarch, who is protected from criticism by extremely severe anti-defamation laws.
The king's statements to the media are extremely rare due to the protocol surrounding the royal family.
The king, who spends much of his time in Germany, has been in Thailand for a few weeks for a Buddhist holiday and the anniversary of his father's death.
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