Why new generation may force change in Thai politics

The nation grapples with economic challenges, political turbulence and the enduring influence of its old guard monarchy-military alliance

The tourist-undiscovered jewel is Siracha in the Gulf of Thailand, 90 km southeast of Bangkok and 30 km north of Pattaya. Ascott Group’s Oakwood Hotel is your strategic compass to assimilate Siracha as I am doing. Blissfully quiet alongside a park caressing the sea, it caters to all: Koreans who come in droves to play golf even while their president was being arrested; Japanese with corporate interests are also in plenty; soon Chinese will descend for the Year of Snake but hardly any Indians though 200 of them are building an oil refinery close by.

Koh Sichang island 40 minutes in a steamer is worth getting lost in as King Rama V loved to do 200 years ago.

Ripened Sirachans belt their favourite melodies in the park as joggers and wanderers freeze to a halt when the national anthem plays in the mornings. Unlike in fading monarchies elsewhere, the Royals are ubiquitous: pictures of the present King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Queen, the highly respected late king and the King’s sister are familiar sights in the Kingdom of Thailand which escaped being colonised.

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