How has Thailand changed since King Bhumibol's death?

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Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of former Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose death has been etched into the living memory of Thailand and its people.

A lot has happened in Thailand since the death of the widely-revered late king. His son Maha Vajiralongkorn has become the new king. Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has fled and been convicted over a controversial rice subsidy scheme. The military and self-appointed Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha still clings to power.

What changes have been taking place in Thailand in the post-Bhumibol era?

Major political events in the past year

The late king was succeeded by his son Vajiralongkorn, or Rama X, last December and his coronation is due after his father's funeral which will last five days, beginning on October 25. The 65-year-old has yet to attain his father's widespread adoration and his succession as the monarch has added to the concern over the country's political stability.

And the new king's first year on the throne was accompanied with a guessing game of Yingluck's whereabouts after the former leader fled the country over her controversial rice scheme.

Ousted former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets supporters as she arrives at the Supreme Court in Bangkok, Thailand, August 1, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Thailand's Supreme Court last month sentenced Yingluck to five years in prison for mismanaging a rice subsidy scheme. Yingluck did not appear in court and fled the country before the verdict was announced. Her exact whereabouts remain unknown and Thai authorities said they have asked Interpol to issue an arrest warrant for her.

Thailand has seen 21 coups since it first embraced parliamentary rule in 1932, and Yingluck's government was toppled in the latest, a 2014 coup by the military, which began ruling Thailand afterwards with then army chief Prayuth as prime minister.

And in April, an army-drafted constitution, the 20th since 1932, was signed by the new king kickstarting the process for new elections while cementing the grip of the military over any future government and weakening the country's biggest party, Puea Thai.

The new charter makes way for a junta-appointed Upper House, including six seats reserved for the military and a proportional voting system likely to reduce the influence of major parties.

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is dressed in black as he arrives at a weekly cabinet meeting at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, October 18, 2016. /Reuters Photo

Prayuth announced Tuesday that the government will hold a general election in November 2018. The leader of the 2014 coup said the election is necessary to end a decade of political turbulence and to root out corruption.

Concerns over new king's reign

A royalist reportedly said, "after the royal cremation, everyone is at his own risk," implying that King Vajiralongkorn's new reign comes with concerns and anxiety among Thai people about the future of the monarch and doubts over whether he is up to the post like his father.

The new king, dubbed as "Playboy Prince," spent much of his life enjoying a lavish life in Germany where he owns properties. He has had three high-profile divorces and seven children, four of whom are not recognized by the palace – and he is also notorious for his questionable taste in clothing.

Thailand's then Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn watches the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony in central Bangkok, Thailand, May 9, 2016. /Reuters Photo

Since his ascension to the throne, he has imposed tighter control over the palace bureaucracy and reduced government oversight.

He has removed 40 officials close to his father and replaced them with his confidantes, and has taken full control of the Crown Property Bureau, making him one of the richest monarchs in the world. And he endorsed a new military-backed constitution, the changes of which will provide the king with more power over the parliament than his father ever did.

The new king not only imposed a tighter grip over elites but also commoners by using the lese-majeste law to curb public discontentment against him. For example, a 25-year-old law student was arrested and charged with lese- majeste for sharing a Facebook post of a critical royal biography published by BBC Thailand, signifying his low tolerance over the public's peek into his private life.

Future of Thai monarchy?

Relationships between the monarch, army and politicians have long determined the stability of Thailand. And the support from military is essential for the monarch.

File photo taken on May 5, 2014 shows Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1st L) presides over a ceremony commemorating the 64th anniversary of Royal Coronation Day in Hua Hin, Thailand. /Xinhua Photo

During the late king's seventy year reign, Bhumibol worked with a series of military-dominated administrations and even established a close relationship with some military rulers. By giving the military royal backing, the monarch can in return win the army's unwavering support. Citing royalists, the BBC said that as the king has limited political power, he had to go along with whoever is in power in the country.

But how will King Vajiralongkorn forge ties with the army? Whether the new king realizes they are the key for stability remains unknown.

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