The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has passed a bill enabling His Majesty's principal private secretary to take control of the King's security.
The bill, an amendment of the Reorganisation of Security Provided to the Royal Family, was pushed through the NLA's three readings yesterday.
It sailed through the first reading with 193 votes in favour of the bill with three abstentions and the third reading with 190 votes for approval with three abstentions.
The three abstentions were the NLA president and his two deputies.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the legislation would replace the 2014 Act on the Reorganisation of Security Provided to the Royal Family, which has been used for three years. The new legislation concerns nine sections.
Mr Wissanu said four key issues are stipulated in the fresh bill. One concerns the definition of the security service, which will also include "giving honour".
By this, various work processes may need to be in sync for the benefit of giving honour.
In the second issue, the royal security service is currently arranged by a committee consisting of various agencies, including His Majesty's principal private secretary, chief of the Aide-de-Camp General to the King as well as chiefs of armed forces.
Under the new bill, it will be supervised and directed by His Majesty's principal private secretary, Mr Wissanu said.
Whether or not the new committee in charge of the security will be established depends on the principal private secretary, who will have to announce the internal rules, he said.
In the third element, under the bill, responsibility of chief of the Aide-de-Camp General to the King, the Lord Chamberlain and other agencies including Defence Ministry's Royal Aide-de-Camp Department and the Foreign Ministry in providing security for the King and when His Majesty goes overseas will be transferred to His Majesty's principal private secretary.
Based on the final issue, there are some proceedings under the existing legislation which need to be approved by the prime minister, who supervises the Bureau of the Royal Household, he said.
Under the new bill the premier would no longer be involved in the process.
