Thailand&#39;s king signed a new military-backed constitution on Thursday that strengthens the army&#39;s hand in government and puts the country on the path to polls after three years of junta rule.&nbsp;

The military says the charter -- Thailand&#39;s twentieth since 1932 -- will curb unrest in the politically-split kingdom and keep out corrupt lawmakers.&nbsp;

But opponents say the new document means any polls, whose date keeps slipping, will only offer Thais a form of neutered democracy with a fully appointed senate and tough controls on elected politicians.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended the throne following the October death of his widely revered father Bhumibol Adulyadej, signed the document in a televised ceremony in Bangkok on Thursday afternoon.

In a solemn and ritual-laden ceremony, the 64-year-old king inked three copies of the document, which were then stamped by white-clad officials and placed on gilded pillars before the monarch. An official then read the charter&#39;s preamble.

&quot;This constitution aims to fully rid the country of corruption, abuses of power and prevent corrupt politicians from taking office,&quot; the official read to an audience of political grandees, including junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, and ambassadors in the ornate throne hall.

Vajiralongkorn surprised many earlier this year by ordering rewrites to parts of the constitution that deal with his powers -- a move that delayed its promulgation and the date for elections.&nbsp;

But in a sign of the opacity surrounding all things royal in Thailand, a country with a strictly enforced lese majeste law, authorities have yet to release the wording of those new sections.

The charter received popular approval in a referendum last August, although the junta barred campaigning against it.

The generals have severely curbed free speech since their power grab by outlawing all political activities, muzzling the press and detaining scores of critics.

&nbsp;

Back to the future?

Democracy has never fully taken in root in Thailand, where the army has launched more than a dozen coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932.&nbsp;

Over the past 10 years, an especially turbulent period dubbed &quot;the lost decade,&quot; Thais have witnessed repeated rounds of deadly protests, a string of short-lived governments and two military coups that deposed elected leaders.

Analysts say the latest constitution harks back to the Cold War era when Thailand&#39;s lawmakers were often kept in check by unelected bodies and committees in what many called &quot;guided democracy&quot;.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a politics expert at Chulalongkorn University, said the document is a far cry from Thailand&#39;s most liberal charter, the 1997 so-called &quot;People&#39;s Constitution&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;The new charter reverses progress on people&#39;s representation that culminated with the 1997 constitution,&quot; he told AFP. &quot;Now appointments are back en masse at the expense of elected representatives.&quot;

Critics say the junta is determined to block a political comeback from ousted premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, whose parties have won every poll since 2001.

Their billionaire clan is popular among Thailand&#39;s rural and urban poor but hated by Bangkok&#39;s military-backed elite, who accuse the family of corruption, nepotism and damaging populist policies.

In addition to an appointed upper house, the new constitution bolsters the powers of the country&#39;s interventionist constitutional court and makes it easier to impeach a civilian leader.

With royal approval secured, the junta&#39;s drafting committee is now tasked with drawing up organic laws that critics fear could further hem-in political parties, who have been barred from organising since the coup.&nbsp;

The junta has said elections will be held in mid-2018 but officials have shied from providing a firm date.&nbsp;

They have also vowed to draw up a &quot;20-year plan&quot; for the country that any future government will be bound to follow.

This week ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is entangled in a negligence trial since the coup that could see her jailed, said she hoped the charter would speed the kingdom&#39;s return to democracy.

(AFP)

It will strengthen the army's hand in government and puts the country closer to polls after three years of junta rule, but it has critics

Thailand's king signed a new military-backed constitution on Thursday that strengthens the army's hand in government and puts the country on the path to polls after three years of junta rule. The military says the charter -- Thailand's twentieth since 1932 -- will curb unrest in the politically-split kingdom and keep out corrupt lawmakers. But opponents say the new document means any polls, whose date keeps slipping, will only offer Thais a form of neutered democracy with a fully appointed senate and tough controls on elected politicians. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended the throne following the October death of his widely revered father Bhumibol Adulyadej, signed the document in a televised ceremony in Bangkok on Thursday afternoon. In a solemn and ritual-laden ceremony, the 64-year-old king inked three copies of the document, which were then stamped by white-clad officials and placed on gilded pillars before the monarch. An official then read the charter's preamble. "This constitution aims to fully rid the country of corruption, abuses of power and prevent corrupt politicians from taking office," the official read to an audience of political grandees, including junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, and ambassadors in the ornate throne hall. Vajiralongkorn surprised many earlier this year by ordering rewrites to parts of the constitution that deal with his powers -- a move that delayed its promulgation and the date for elections. But in a sign of the opacity surrounding all things royal in Thailand, a country with a strictly enforced lese majeste law, authorities have yet to release the wording of those new sections. The charter received popular approval in a referendum last August, although the junta barred campaigning against it. The generals have severely curbed free speech since their power grab by outlawing all political activities, muzzling the press and detaining scores of critics. Back to the future? Democracy has never fully taken in root in Thailand, where the army has launched more than a dozen coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. Over the past 10 years, an especially turbulent period dubbed "the lost decade," Thais have witnessed repeated rounds of deadly protests, a string of short-lived governments and two military coups that deposed elected leaders. Analysts say the latest constitution harks back to the Cold War era when Thailand's lawmakers were often kept in check by unelected bodies and committees in what many called "guided democracy". Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a politics expert at Chulalongkorn University, said the document is a far cry from Thailand's most liberal charter, the 1997 so-called "People's Constitution". "The new charter reverses progress on people's representation that culminated with the 1997 constitution," he told AFP. "Now appointments are back en masse at the expense of elected representatives." Critics say the junta is determined to block a political comeback from ousted premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, whose parties have won every poll since 2001. Their billionaire clan is popular among Thailand's rural and urban poor but hated by Bangkok's military-backed elite, who accuse the family of corruption, nepotism and damaging populist policies. In addition to an appointed upper house, the new constitution bolsters the powers of the country's interventionist constitutional court and makes it easier to impeach a civilian leader. With royal approval secured, the junta's drafting committee is now tasked with drawing up organic laws that critics fear could further hem-in political parties, who have been barred from organising since the coup. The junta has said elections will be held in mid-2018 but officials have shied from providing a firm date. They have also vowed to draw up a "20-year plan" for the country that any future government will be bound to follow. This week ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is entangled in a negligence trial since the coup that could see her jailed, said she hoped the charter would speed the kingdom's return to democracy. (AFP)

Thai king signs junta's new constitution

With soldiers closing down Bangkok&#39;s notorious go-go bars and tourists forced to sneak sips of beer from paper cups, Thailand is dialling down its raucous party scene out of respect for the country&#39;s late monarch.&nbsp;The passing this week of 88-year-old Bhumibol Adulyadej has thrust the Buddhist nation into a period of profound mourning, with masses of tearful Thais filling the streets to pay respect to a king worshipped as an exemplar of moral virtue.

Like nearly all of their compatriots, Thai bar girls swapped their normally racy attire for more modest black dresses and shoes when they showed up to work Friday night. In Bangkok&#39;s Soi Cowboy,&nbsp;a famed alleyway of luridly lit go-go bars and a barometer of the city&#39;s adherence to temperance during coups, street protests and religious days,&nbsp;patrons who trickled through were soon disappointed.

At around 10 pm soldiers pulled the plug on the blinding neon lights as they enforced an early closing time in compliance with government orders to &quot;tone down&quot; celebrations as the nation grieves.&nbsp;&quot;Suddenly the army came. It was a group of five guys,&quot; said Geroem Bonami, a 31-year-old tourist from Belgium. &quot;We were asked to pay and they started to tidy up everything and the girls disappeared.&quot;

Minutes after the ailing monarch&#39;s passing was announced on Thursday, Thailand&#39;s junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha took to national television to declare a one-year official mourning period. He also asked the public to refrain from celebrations for at least 30 days, and dozens of events,&nbsp;from concerts to fun runs, wedding parties and religious festivals,&nbsp;have been cancelled since. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- ocha,&nbsp;however said business could continue with the&nbsp;Stock Exchange ofThailand and banks operated normally on Friday.&nbsp;Television networks are also under orders not to broadcast any overly joyous images,&nbsp;such as dancing, with one major channel saying it would not be airing its roaringly popular soap opera series. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&#39;No music, no party&#39;&nbsp;

While the military regime has not issued an all-out ban on alcohol, which is common on Buddhist holidays, many shops have opted to stop selling drinks and bars around the capital are taking special measures to show that no one is having too much fun.&nbsp;

On the Khaosan road, a grubby centre for foreign tourists a stone&#39;s throw away from the king&#39;s palace, bars silenced the normally pounding music and served alcohol in paper cups instead of beer towers and buckets.&nbsp;&quot;There&#39;s no music tonight and no party because all the people are so sad. Everywhere in Bangkok, you cannot have loud music,&quot; explained Ret Chhuon, a Thai barman, adding he was worried about an extended loss of custom.&nbsp;&quot;But we must do this because the king has died and we are so sad.&quot;

Foreign governments have urged their citizens to act respectfully as the kingdom mourns, while Thai tourist authorities have asked travellers to dress in sombre and appropriate clothing. Britain&#39;s foreign office issued an advisory for tourists warning them to be respectful.&nbsp;&quot;You should respect the sensitivities of the Thai people at this time; access to entertainment, including restaurants, bars and shopping areas may be restricted and you should behave respectfully when in public areas,&quot; the statement said.

Thailand has strict laws over the protection of the royal family and insulting any member of the family could lead up to 15 years in prison.&nbsp;Article 112 of the criminal code says anyone who &quot;defames, insults or threatens the king, queen, heir-apparent or regent&quot; will be punished, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

The Italian Embassy in Bangkok also cautioned its citizens and issued a statement saying,&nbsp;&quot;We recommend the following for residents and tourists: exercise caution and observe public order laws ... maximum respect for the sentiment of the Thai people.&quot;

Analysts have warned that any protracted clampdown on the party scene could drive visitors away and hurt the tourism sector -- a crucial pillar of the kingdom&#39;s economy.&nbsp;

On the Khaosan Road some visitors said they were happy to keep it low-key, but would likely leave Thailand if the party didn&#39;t rev up again soon.&nbsp;&quot;If after a couple of days there are still no parties and alcohol, I might leave Thailand, said a 24-year-old Dutch tourist who only gave his name as Kaz. Others were simply awed by the mass outpourings of grief.&nbsp;&quot;It hasn&#39;t put a downer on the holiday,&quot; said British tourist Callum Knight. &quot;We got to see a part of history.&quot;

(Agencies)

&nbsp;

Thai government ordered 'toned down' celebrations for at least 30 days as the nation grieves the death of late king Bhumibol Adulyadej

With soldiers closing down Bangkok's notorious go-go bars and tourists forced to sneak sips of beer from paper cups, Thailand is dialling down its raucous party scene out of respect for the country's late monarch. The passing this week of 88-year-old Bhumibol Adulyadej has thrust the Buddhist nation into a period of profound mourning, with masses of tearful Thais filling the streets to pay respect to a king worshipped as an exemplar of moral virtue. Like nearly all of their compatriots, Thai bar girls swapped their normally racy attire for more modest black dresses and shoes when they showed up to work Friday night. In Bangkok's Soi Cowboy, a famed alleyway of luridly lit go-go bars and a barometer of the city's adherence to temperance during coups, street protests and religious days, patrons who trickled through were soon disappointed. At around 10 pm soldiers pulled the plug on the blinding neon lights as they enforced an early closing time in compliance with government orders to "tone down" celebrations as the nation grieves. "Suddenly the army came. It was a group of five guys," said Geroem Bonami, a 31-year-old tourist from Belgium. "We were asked to pay and they started to tidy up everything and the girls disappeared." Minutes after the ailing monarch's passing was announced on Thursday, Thailand's junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha took to national television to declare a one-year official mourning period. He also asked the public to refrain from celebrations for at least 30 days, and dozens of events, from concerts to fun runs, wedding parties and religious festivals, have been cancelled since. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- ocha, however said business could continue with the Stock Exchange ofThailand and banks operated normally on Friday. Television networks are also under orders not to broadcast any overly joyous images, such as dancing, with one major channel saying it would not be airing its roaringly popular soap opera series. 'No music, no party' While the military regime has not issued an all-out ban on alcohol, which is common on Buddhist holidays, many shops have opted to stop selling drinks and bars around the capital are taking special measures to show that no one is having too much fun. On the Khaosan road, a grubby centre for foreign tourists a stone's throw away from the king's palace, bars silenced the normally pounding music and served alcohol in paper cups instead of beer towers and buckets. "There's no music tonight and no party because all the people are so sad. Everywhere in Bangkok, you cannot have loud music," explained Ret Chhuon, a Thai barman, adding he was worried about an extended loss of custom. "But we must do this because the king has died and we are so sad." Foreign governments have urged their citizens to act respectfully as the kingdom mourns, while Thai tourist authorities have asked travellers to dress in sombre and appropriate clothing. Britain's foreign office issued an advisory for tourists warning them to be respectful. "You should respect the sensitivities of the Thai people at this time; access to entertainment, including restaurants, bars and shopping areas may be restricted and you should behave respectfully when in public areas," the statement said. Thailand has strict laws over the protection of the royal family and insulting any member of the family could lead up to 15 years in prison. Article 112 of the criminal code says anyone who "defames, insults or threatens the king, queen, heir-apparent or regent" will be punished, Reuters reported. The Italian Embassy in Bangkok also cautioned its citizens and issued a statement saying, "We recommend the following for residents and tourists: exercise caution and observe public order laws ... maximum respect for the sentiment of the Thai people." Analysts have warned that any protracted clampdown on the party scene could drive visitors away and hurt the tourism sector -- a crucial pillar of the kingdom's economy. On the Khaosan Road some visitors said they were happy to keep it low-key, but would likely leave Thailand if the party didn't rev up again soon. "If after a couple of days there are still no parties and alcohol, I might leave Thailand, said a 24-year-old Dutch tourist who only gave his name as Kaz. Others were simply awed by the mass outpourings of grief. "It hasn't put a downer on the holiday," said British tourist Callum Knight. "We got to see a part of history." (Agencies)

Restricted entertainment as Thailand mourns late monarch

Many Thais revered late king Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday, with near god-like devotion. Here&#39;s why.

Q) Is his popularity among Thais comparable to how Europeans feel about their royal families?

A) The love is much more intense among Thais who undoubtedly felt a deep spiritual connection with their king. He was widely seen as a serene and caring father of their nation and a representation of their own best Buddhist values and beliefs. Most genuinely love him for what they see as his modesty, humility and life-long commitment to helping the poor.&nbsp;

In a near cult-like atmosphere, the king&#39;s picture hangs in every taxi, office and shop. Before movies, cinema-goers stand in homage as images of him flash across the screen.

Q) Thai politics has seemed to be in a constant state of chaos during his seven-decade reign. Why is he not blamed?

A) While Bhumibol was monarch there were more than a dozen coups or attempted coups, and the kingdom is once again under military rule after generals ousted another democratically elected government in 2014.

Yet many Thais do not see their late king as a contributor to the turmoil, but rather a much-needed figure of authority and stability who yielded his power sparingly but decisively.

In one of his most famous interventions, Bhumibol in 1992 called then-prime minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon to his palace and humiliated him on television for ordering a bloody military crackdown on demonstrations against his government. The prime minister resigned.

But he did not intervene during some other political crises, and approved most of the successful coups during his reign.

Q) How did he actually help Thais, in tangible economic terms?

A) Many&nbsp;Thais believe the king devoted his life to helping the poor, and he sponsored thousands of royal projects aimed at alleviating poverty. Thais credit him with water-control projects that have stopped flooding in Bangkok, and pioneering cloud-seeding technologies that brought rain over drought-stricken farmlands. He is also hailed for helping to quell opium growing among hill tribes in the north of the country by introducing alternative farming opportunities.

Q) What do Thais love about him personally?

A) In his younger days, Bhumibol enjoyed a reputation for having that X-factor of coolness and charisma. He was heavily promoted as an accomplished jazz saxophonist, composer, photographer and yachtsman. Bhumibol once played the saxophone with jazz legend Benny Goodman and won a gold medal for sailing at the Southeast Asian Peninsula Games in 1967. In his later years he was seen as a sage, dispensing advice through parables about his favourite dog, an adopted stray. Books about his dog outsold bestsellers, such as Harry Potter, in Thailand.

Q) Was he really as talented, skilled, compassionate and virtuous as all this?

A) A relentless and powerful propaganda machine has burnished the king&#39;s reputation. He also built a fortune for the monarchy worth tens of billions of dollars, while siding with the elites that have perpetuated their rule over the masses.&nbsp;

And although he famously said in 2005 that he was not above criticism, the law says otherwise. Thailand has lese majeste laws that carry penalties of up to 15 years for anyone who &quot;defames, insults or threatens&quot; the king.

(AFP)

He was incredibly popular. Partly because the people thought he had spent a lifetime helping the poor, partly because of propaganda

Many Thais revered late king Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday, with near god-like devotion. Here's why. Q) Is his popularity among Thais comparable to how Europeans feel about their royal families? A) The love is much more intense among Thais who undoubtedly felt a deep spiritual connection with their king. He was widely seen as a serene and caring father of their nation and a representation of their own best Buddhist values and beliefs. Most genuinely love him for what they see as his modesty, humility and life-long commitment to helping the poor. In a near cult-like atmosphere, the king's picture hangs in every taxi, office and shop. Before movies, cinema-goers stand in homage as images of him flash across the screen. Q) Thai politics has seemed to be in a constant state of chaos during his seven-decade reign. Why is he not blamed? A) While Bhumibol was monarch there were more than a dozen coups or attempted coups, and the kingdom is once again under military rule after generals ousted another democratically elected government in 2014. Yet many Thais do not see their late king as a contributor to the turmoil, but rather a much-needed figure of authority and stability who yielded his power sparingly but decisively. In one of his most famous interventions, Bhumibol in 1992 called then-prime minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon to his palace and humiliated him on television for ordering a bloody military crackdown on demonstrations against his government. The prime minister resigned. But he did not intervene during some other political crises, and approved most of the successful coups during his reign. Q) How did he actually help Thais, in tangible economic terms? A) Many Thais believe the king devoted his life to helping the poor, and he sponsored thousands of royal projects aimed at alleviating poverty. Thais credit him with water-control projects that have stopped flooding in Bangkok, and pioneering cloud-seeding technologies that brought rain over drought-stricken farmlands. He is also hailed for helping to quell opium growing among hill tribes in the north of the country by introducing alternative farming opportunities. Q) What do Thais love about him personally? A) In his younger days, Bhumibol enjoyed a reputation for having that X-factor of coolness and charisma. He was heavily promoted as an accomplished jazz saxophonist, composer, photographer and yachtsman. Bhumibol once played the saxophone with jazz legend Benny Goodman and won a gold medal for sailing at the Southeast Asian Peninsula Games in 1967. In his later years he was seen as a sage, dispensing advice through parables about his favourite dog, an adopted stray. Books about his dog outsold bestsellers, such as Harry Potter, in Thailand. Q) Was he really as talented, skilled, compassionate and virtuous as all this? A) A relentless and powerful propaganda machine has burnished the king's reputation. He also built a fortune for the monarchy worth tens of billions of dollars, while siding with the elites that have perpetuated their rule over the masses. And although he famously said in 2005 that he was not above criticism, the law says otherwise. Thailand has lese majeste laws that carry penalties of up to 15 years for anyone who "defames, insults or threatens" the king. (AFP)

Was Thailand's Bhumibol a great king?

The bespectacled image of King Bhumibol Adulyadej dominates public space in Thailand, from billboards on high-rises to portraits that flank leafy boulevards. 
 
After seven decades on the throne, King Bhumibol is seen by many Thais as a pillar of stability, and accorded semi-divine status. But the kingdom marks his platinum jubilee on Thursday amid anxiety over his health and at a critical political juncture. 
 
Celebrations will include a morning religious ceremony presided over by 770 Buddhist monks, a figure seen as auspicious. 
 
The festivities will serve as a reminder to Thais of their relationship to a king who is regarded as integral to Thailand&#39;s identity and a father-figure to the nation. 
 
It may also jangle nerves about the succession, as most Thais have known no other monarch. The king received heart treatment on Tuesday and has been in hospital for more than a year. 
 
Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, the king&#39;s 63-year-old son, is the heir apparent. He has not achieved the same level of devotion that his father enjoys. 
 
&quot;The relationship between Thais and the king is deep, more than one can actually begin to explain,&quot; Colonel Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the royalist junta, told Reuters. 
 
&quot;He is a father to the land.&quot; 
 
The monarchy has not always been held so highly in Thailand. In 1946, at the age of 18, King Bhumibol inherited a throne that had barely survived the upheaval of the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. 
 
That marked what an official biography of the king described as a nadir for the monarchy. 
 
Over the following decades, the king earned the adoration of millions through work in public health and rural development, and with the help of a formidable public relations machine that returned the monarchy to prominence in a country where politics, was, and still is, largely dominated by the military. 
 
The military has staged 19 coups or attempted coups since the end of absolute monarchy, often evoking its loyalty to the crown and defence of the monarchy in explaining its actions. 
 
 
&#39;Fixed our problems&#39; 
 
Crowds gather whenever the king&#39;s convoy travels, and many people sport the colours of royal family members on their birthdays. 
 
For some, the reverence reflects conformity in a country known for adherence to age old customs and its love of uniforms. 
 
Others point to stringent royal insult laws that prevent criticism of the king, and which have been enforced with record jail terms under a junta that seized power in 2014. 
 
For most, there is genuine affection. 
 
&quot;He travelled up and down the country and met the people and he heard and fixed our problems and that is why we love him,&quot; said Yaovapha Thaitae, a noodle vendor working near the Bangkok hospital where the king is being treated. 
 
The king&#39;s jubilee comes amid a junta crackdown on dissent ahead of an August referendum on a constitution that critics say would extend the military&#39;s influence at the expense of populist political forces that emerged to challenge the establishment as Thailand&#39;s economy boomed in recent decades. 
 
If voters reject the draft charter, a general election slated for 2017 could be delayed, likely prolonging tension between the military-dominated establishment and its rivals seeking a quick return to electoral politics. 
 
Educational reforms under the junta have emphasised loyalty and love of the monarchy. King Bhumibol&#39;s image is at the centre of every classroom in schools where education is largely by rote learning. 
 
The national anthem is played in public places every morning and evening and people are expected to stand at attention. Old footage of the king&#39;s visits to rural communities is shown when his anthem is played in cinemas before every movie. 
 
Many national holidays revolve around the royals. The king&#39;s birthday is Father&#39;s Day and Queen Sirikit&#39;s is Mother&#39;s Day. 
 
&quot;Holidays throughout the year praise Thailand&#39;s king,&quot; said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs in the city of Chiang Mai. 
 
&quot;Education and state emblems, virtues, slogans, also place the king at the centre of the nation.&quot; 
 
Such is the cult of personality surrounding the king that some analysts have made comparisons with North Korea. 
 
&quot;The Thai king&#39;s image is ubiquitous,&quot; said Chambers. &quot;That is also true of leaders in Brunei and North Korea. Perhaps Thailand differs from those cases because the cult of personality leader in those countries rules directly.&quot;

King Bhumibol received heart treatment on Tuesday and has been in hospital for more than a year

The bespectacled image of King Bhumibol Adulyadej dominates public space in Thailand, from billboards on high-rises to portraits that flank leafy boulevards. After seven decades on the throne, King Bhumibol is seen by many Thais as a pillar of stability, and accorded semi-divine status. But the kingdom marks his platinum jubilee on Thursday amid anxiety over his health and at a critical political juncture. Celebrations will include a morning religious ceremony presided over by 770 Buddhist monks, a figure seen as auspicious. The festivities will serve as a reminder to Thais of their relationship to a king who is regarded as integral to Thailand's identity and a father-figure to the nation. It may also jangle nerves about the succession, as most Thais have known no other monarch. The king received heart treatment on Tuesday and has been in hospital for more than a year. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, the king's 63-year-old son, is the heir apparent. He has not achieved the same level of devotion that his father enjoys. "The relationship between Thais and the king is deep, more than one can actually begin to explain," Colonel Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the royalist junta, told Reuters. "He is a father to the land." The monarchy has not always been held so highly in Thailand. In 1946, at the age of 18, King Bhumibol inherited a throne that had barely survived the upheaval of the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. That marked what an official biography of the king described as a nadir for the monarchy. Over the following decades, the king earned the adoration of millions through work in public health and rural development, and with the help of a formidable public relations machine that returned the monarchy to prominence in a country where politics, was, and still is, largely dominated by the military. The military has staged 19 coups or attempted coups since the end of absolute monarchy, often evoking its loyalty to the crown and defence of the monarchy in explaining its actions. 'Fixed our problems' Crowds gather whenever the king's convoy travels, and many people sport the colours of royal family members on their birthdays. For some, the reverence reflects conformity in a country known for adherence to age old customs and its love of uniforms. Others point to stringent royal insult laws that prevent criticism of the king, and which have been enforced with record jail terms under a junta that seized power in 2014. For most, there is genuine affection. "He travelled up and down the country and met the people and he heard and fixed our problems and that is why we love him," said Yaovapha Thaitae, a noodle vendor working near the Bangkok hospital where the king is being treated. The king's jubilee comes amid a junta crackdown on dissent ahead of an August referendum on a constitution that critics say would extend the military's influence at the expense of populist political forces that emerged to challenge the establishment as Thailand's economy boomed in recent decades. If voters reject the draft charter, a general election slated for 2017 could be delayed, likely prolonging tension between the military-dominated establishment and its rivals seeking a quick return to electoral politics. Educational reforms under the junta have emphasised loyalty and love of the monarchy. King Bhumibol's image is at the centre of every classroom in schools where education is largely by rote learning. The national anthem is played in public places every morning and evening and people are expected to stand at attention. Old footage of the king's visits to rural communities is shown when his anthem is played in cinemas before every movie. Many national holidays revolve around the royals. The king's birthday is Father's Day and Queen Sirikit's is Mother's Day. "Holidays throughout the year praise Thailand's king," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs in the city of Chiang Mai. "Education and state emblems, virtues, slogans, also place the king at the centre of the nation." Such is the cult of personality surrounding the king that some analysts have made comparisons with North Korea. "The Thai king's image is ubiquitous," said Chambers. "That is also true of leaders in Brunei and North Korea. Perhaps Thailand differs from those cases because the cult of personality leader in those countries rules directly."

Thais celebrate 70 years of king's reign amid anxiety over his health

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Thai king signs junta's new constitution

Restricted entertainment as Thailand mourns late monarch

Was Thailand's Bhumibol a great king?

Thais celebrate 70 years of king's reign amid anxiety over his health