Interview on Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam regarding royal succession

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Interview on Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam regarding royal succession

 

The country’s royal succession is dictated by constitutional law, palace law, and royal traditions. This statement will detail the facts of the procedures. 

When the royal throne becomes vacant, existing guidelines stipulate in length the ceremonial procedures for preparing the royal remains, from constructing the funeral pyre, to the royal cremation ceremony.

 

As for the royal succession, officially addressing this matter will be of public benefit. All questions can be answered by referring to the constitution as well as palace law pertaining to the royal succession. On behalf of the government, I would like to apologize that a statement regarding the succession procedures had not been made sooner than this date.

 

This has allowed for the surfacing of various erroneous speculations. The government therefore would like to officially clarify that the nature of the royal succession will be conducted according to what is stipulated in the constitution as well as palace law pertaining to the royal succession which has been in place since the reign of King Rama VI.

 

The guidelines that will be implemented will be the same as stipulated in 3 most recent constitutions since 1991. For the past 25 years, these guidelines have been identical and will remain the same in the constitution that will soon be promulgated. These constitutional hen read in conjunction with palace law, will appear as follow:

First, when the throne becomes vacant, we must ascertain whether a royal successor has been named. The succession procedure would have differed had a successor had not been named. This is not the case today and I will therefore refrain from elaborating on this scenario in order to avoid unnecessary confusion. The reality is that a royal successor has been named since December 28, 1972, during the royal naming ceremony of His Majesty the King’s eldest son, His Royal Highnessalongkorn, giving him the title of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.

Even if a royal naming ceremony had not taken place, His Royal Highness would still have been the heir apparent according to palace law. A royal naming ceremony had nevertheless been conducted to further clarify His Royal Highness’s claim. The ceremony was held on 1972 at Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram and Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in the presence of the Cabinet, members of parliament, and diplomats. The ceremony offisignation of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn as heir to the throne.

The constitution stipulates that in the case of a vacancy, and when an heir has been designated, the Cabinet must notify the head of parliament of the designated heir to the throne. Parliament, in this case the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), will 

then convene to pass a motion acknowledging that a successor has been named. Once the motion has been made public, the NLA President, Pornpetch Wichidcholchai, will invite the successor to ascend to the throne. Once the invitation has been accepted, the public will be notified that Thailand is ruled under a new monarch.

However, the process will not be complete until a royal coronation takes place to grant the monarch his full title. The late king of Thailand had undergone a similar process, serving as monarch for 4 years from 1946 to 1950 before His Majesty was officially crowned, granting him the full title of the King of Thailand.

Many may wonder as to how soon this process will unfold in the near future. While there is currently no fixed timeline of events, it is certain that the procedures will follow the stipulated guidelines in a transparent manner.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-Cha had been granted a royal audience with Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn on October 13, 2016. Afterwards, the Prime Minister summarized the Crown Prince’s words during the royal audience to the Cabinet meeting that same night. According to the Prime Minister, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn shares the same grief that is felt throughout the kingdom and feels a strong connection with its people. At this time, His Royal Highness therefore wishes to participate in the period of mourning along with the people of Thailand. 

Therefore, should no urgent matter call for his immediate ascension, His Royal Highness wishes to postpone the royal succession and focus the country’s efforts towards progressing the royal funeral. The Crown Prince had conveyed these words to the Prime Minister at the time His Majesty’s body was still resting at Siriraj Hospital, when the royal bathing ceremony had yet to take place. 

In summary, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn wishes to postpone the royal succession until a more suitable time. The government has acknowledged His Royal Highness’ wish and has refrained from notifying the NLA President of the successor.

Since the NLA has yet to be notified, it isn’t compelled to introduce the motion to acknowledge the naming of a successor, and therefore a new monarch is yet to named. This process will definitely commence in a more suitable time in the future. 

As for whether a regent should be named during this time, 

It is custom among all monarchies in this world that the throne be continuously occupied. In England, for example, as soon as a King passes away, it is customary for the public and the government to say the words “The King is Dead, long live the King,” acknowledging the death of the current King and the ascension of his successor to the throne. The words must also be declared continuously without pause to symbolize continuity of the royal dynasty. It is also customary for Thailand to ensure the continuity of its royal dynasty. However, a period of delay can sometimes occur. When King Rama VII abdicated, there was a lagging period during the message’s journey from England to reach Thailand as well as the time it took to extend the invitation to Prince Ananda Mahidol to succeed the throne. During this time, a regent had been appointed to administer the state in the interim. 

However, when King Rama VIII passed away on the morning of June 9, Parliament was able to reach a motion by 9pm that same day to extend an invitation to Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej to succeed his elder brother. It was therefore unnecessary to appoint a regent during that transitional period.

 

Today, it may also be unnecessary to appoint a regent as well. However, as His Royal Highness the Prince has graciously decreed as such, the government will respect His wishes and accept the new regent. This is in order to fulfill certain political and social obligations that require attention during this period. But, on these matters the constitution is quite clear.

 

It has been written out since 1991 and we have used it for 25 years. We will continue to use it in our next constitution as well. It states that in the case where a new monarch has not yet claimed the throne, the President of the Council my act as regent and serve in His stead temporarily. Please note that this is only a temporary measure.

 

The only caveat would be if the monarch appointed Her Majesty the Queen as the regent. If that were the case, it would not be a temporary measure as She is already a monarch. Or in the past 50 years, we have seen foreign countries that have had a Princess Mother or a President of Council take on a permanent role of regent. In those cases, it wasn’t temporary. Those past regents would have had to take a pledge in Parliament. 

However, in a temporary instance such as this one, it is the intention of the constitution to have someone fulfill the duties of the monarch during the transition period. In other cases, the next in line to the throne is not always clear. Essentially, it is to ensure that the duties of the monarch will always be carried out.

 

Therefore, at this time in which the next monarch has not yet been announced, though the answer is quite clear, we must follow protocol during this time. The President of the Council will serve as regent for the present. The constitution was careful in that it states that the regent will not continue to carry out his former duties as President of the Council.

 

He must choose another member of the Council to act in his stead. In this way, the regent may focus on his new task. This situation does not usually last for very long. Once the transition is complete, the regent will resume his former position as per Article 23 and 24. 

Does the regent have to be announced at the national legislative assembly gathering? 

No. This is because the regent is only a temporary position. The regent is not elected. That’s why it doesn’t matter whether the regent wants the position or not. It is a matter of constitution. The President of the Council must accept this role and is aware of that when he takes the position. This is why there is no need for announcement. It is an immediate step taken in emergency situations in which the new monarch has not yet ascended to the throne. This is in accordance with the constitution. 

A new constitution will require the royal monogram. It will tie in with new reforms in the economic, social and political sectors. How will this current situation affect our future? 

The Prime Minister has announced a road map. This will serve as our main plan. Therefore, whatever happens, the road map will continue as planned. We are already looking 30, 60 and 90 days ahead in order to avoid any obstacles. While we may encounter some minor problems I do not believe they will be anything we can’t solve. Therefore, if the Prime Minister has not made any new announcements and there are no unforeseen changes everything will continue as per the road map. 

The last thing I would like to ask you about is the rumors on social media. Some of them are valid and some of them are false. These have caused confusion among the public. What are your thoughts on this? 

Ignorance is the root of the problem here. Even with good intentions, spreading rumors for fun or for other reasons can have poor consequences. The nation is in a state of grief. People all over the world are mourning with us. This is a time in which we must help to prop each other up and help one another.

 

We should avoid sharing news we are unsure about, making things up, or sharing other people’s stories. This will avoid situations where untruths are spread. The best way to get information is to listen to the government news. This news has gone through a comprehensive screening process so you can be sure that every sentence is correct. News from the government includes news from the spokesman, the Prime Minister, and from the various government run media outlets including newspaper, radio and television. The news that is spread through social media is actually more often incorrect than correct.

 

For example, the recent news about the regent taking the throne. The regent is appointed, not elected. It is a temporary measure as His Royal Highness the Prince has graciously decreed that there will be a 1 year period of mourning before the next royal coronation. Therefore, there is no news at this time, even if you think it is true and sensible that you should be sharing on social media including the new royal insignia and royal title of the next monarch.

 

If it has not yet been officially announced, then it has not yet been fully acknowledged and is therefore not the time for it to be announced by the public. Everything will remain in this state as His Royal Highness the Prince desires to keep things as peaceful as possible while the deceased King is in the Royal Urn. The Prince will continue to fulfill His duties as Prince until such time as the people of Thailand are able to pass through the mourning period and desire change. 

 

-- nnt 2016-10-19