Thai’s king to have 1,600-strong security

More than 1,600 police have been assigned to protect Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family, the head of the royal police security unit said Friday, quadrupling the force as the new monarch continues to reorganise palace affairs. Thailand’s monarchy is considered sacred and untouchable in Thai society, and is protected by some of the harshest royal insult legislation in the world.

But the king -- who ascended to the throne following the death of his father Bhumibol, revered as a demigod among Thais -- will now also enjoy the protection of an upgraded security police unit.