The King of Thailand as a force of stability and political legitimacy

The power of the Thai king, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), is evident as soon as a visitor sets foot in the country. The widespread use of the iconic image of the king makes the extent of the power over the public consciousness clear; his face adorns the currency, and his portrait hangs in public places and private homes alike. Though Thailand has not been an absolute monarchy since 1932, the king wields great power …

…Oakland: Lonely Planet Publications, 1999. Neher, Clark "Political Succession in Thailand" Asian Survey 32(7) 1992, 585-605. Sukatipan, Saitip "Thailand: The Evolution of Legitimacy" Political Legitimacy in Southeast Asia M. Alagappa ed. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1995, 193-223. Endnotes: 1: Joe Cummings Thailand (Oakland: Lonely Planet Publications, 1999), 58. 2: Clark Neher "Political Succession in Thailand" Asian Survey 32(7) 1992, 585-605, 585-586. 3: Sukatipan, Saitip "Thailand: The Evolution of Legitimacy" Political Legitimacy in Southeast Asia M. Alagappa ed. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1995, 193-223, 203-204. 4: Neher, 589-590. 5: Neher, 604.