Thailand's punctured monarchy

When it comes to the king, young Thais have lost their religion

20201106 demonstrators Bangkok.JPG

Pro-democracy demonstrators gather outside the Government House on Oct. 14: the threat from the current protest movement is not so much a hammer as a flow of water.  © Reuters

Sunisa Manning was born and raised in Bangkok by Thai and American parents. Her debut novel, "A Good True Thai," is about Thailand's 1970s democracy movement.

The king of Thailand is untouchable. Thais love to delineate insiders and outsiders, and most often it is regard for the monarchy that is the line of demarcation. More than Buddhism, worship of the monarch is our religion. But amid intensifying protests, the question is: Are Thais losing their religion?

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