<p>Yesterday (18 October), 70 Future Forward Party (FFP) MPs voted not to approve the Emergency Decree to transfer the control of two infantry regiments to King Vajiralongkorn, going against the rest of parliament, including their opposition allies.</p>

<div> <div>Thailand saw its first lèse majesté case under King Rama X, only two days after the king’s accession. Experts argue that this case is different from cases that occurred under King Rama IX.</div> </div> <p></p>

<div>Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn on Tuesday became the new monarch of Thailand, succeeding his father King Bhumibol who died seven weeks ago at 88.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Ending nearly two months of royal interregnum, the prince assumed the kingship as the 10th King of his dynasty just three days before a public holiday commemorating the birth of his late father, who was widely revered as a national father figure. </div>