Amendment restructures security for monarchy
Private secretary to assume responsibility for royal safety instead of committee.
THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday approved adjustments to the law that manages the safety and security of His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family.
The NLA voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the 2014 Law of Royal Safety in line with the 2017 Constitution, as well as a new law concerning the Royal household.
The amendment authorises the Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty the King to provide security services to the monarchy rather than a committee chaired by Chief of Aide de Camp General to HM the King, as stipulated in the old law, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
Members of the committee previously included military commanders and other relevant officials, he said.
Removes PM’s role
The Private Secretary to HM the King will decide whether it is necessary to form a committee to become involved in the matter, Wissanu told the NLA session.
The Principal Private Secretary will also be in charge of security and safety services for HM the King and members of the Royal Family whenever they travel abroad, he said. The old law commissioned the Aide de Camp Department and the Foreign Ministry to take care of their safety. Under the new law, the Principal Private Secretary to HM the King will plan and command safety measures for HM the King, he said.
The 2014 Law of Royal Safety authorised the prime minister to be involved in the approval of safety plans for HM the King and members of the Royal Family. Under the new law, the premier will no longer take any part in arrangements to safeguard the monarchy, said Wissanu, who is a legal expert.
The NLA conducted three readings of the law at the same time yesterday.
The NLA voted 192 against one in the first reading of the new amendment, with three abstentions. They voted 189 against one, with four abstentions, in the final reading.
The new amendment will be promulgated in the Royal Gazette later.
The content of the new amendment was not available to the public during the NLA debate.