Thai king takes control of five palace agencies

Bangkok: Thailand’s new king was granted control over five state agencies that oversee royal affairs and security on Tuesday, the latest move by an increasingly assertive monarch to consolidate power.

The law detailing the transfers was not made public until it was published late yesterday in the Royal Gazette, meaning junta-appointed lawmakers had voted on the bill in private.

That secrecy is in line with the trademark opacity of Thailand’s monarchy, a powerful institution shielded by harsh defamation laws that have landed critics behind bars. (AFP)