Ukraine war: Thai royalists turn from King Maha Vajiralongkorn to defending Russia’s Putin as pro-democracy camp condemns bloodshed

Royalists’ backing of Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine partly stems from a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ to the Thai pro-democracy movement’s censure, critics say

But it also highlights the conspiratorial thinking of conservative groups who view US-led efforts with scepticism and see democracy as a threat to the monarchy

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Supporters of the Thai monarchy wave national flags and display images of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida and the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a rally in Bangkok in 2020. Photo: AP

Published: 9:00am, 12 Apr 2022Updated: 10:00am, 12 Apr 2022

After years of defending Thailand’s monarchy from a pro-democracy movement, the Southeast Asian country’s royalist groups have turned their focus to Russia and its leader Vladimir Putin as he continues to wage war against Ukraine.

In recent weeks, the Facebook page of royalist group Thai Move Institute has been flooded with posts about the downside of sanctions imposed on Russia, and reports of questionable veracity – many from a website styling itself as “The Truth” – saying that Ukraine used fake news to “slander” Putin.

The group’s motto is “Thailand’s direction upon the royal footsteps”. It is part of a network of conservative voices allied to the military and royalist establishment led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Prayuth Chan-ocha (centre), Thailand’s prime minister, at a ceremony with other officials in 2019 to mark King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday. Photo: AFP

These voices have denounced the country’s youth-led pro-democracy movement, which has held street protests calling for reform of the monarchy and constitutional changes, and railed against online attacks on King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s wealth and conduct. Royalists have supported the use of Section 112 of Thailand’s criminal code – the lèse-majesté law that outlaws criticism of the royal family and carries punishments of up to 15 years in jail – against members of the pro-democracy movement.

Thailand has become increasingly polarised in recent years, with a deepening ideological divide that can be traced back to at least 2006 – when former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a coup – pitching conservative, pro-establishment voices against pro-democracy activists seeking change. Tensions have only heightened as the pandemic-battered economy struggles with a subdued tourism outlook and higher bills for importing energy. The population is also divided over Russia’s invasion, with some groups, as in other Southeast Asian nations, stating their belief that Kyiv in tandem with Nato and the US forced Putin’s hand.

Domestic divide

Critics say Thailand’s royalists came out in favour of Putin either as “knee-jerk reaction” to the opposition’s stance on the war, or a result of long-held resentments towards the US, which some Thais perceive as a threat to the country’s monarchy.