alternatehistory.com

At age 88, the monarch known as Rama IX, died today from age-related ailments October 13,2016 after a 70-year reign. He came to the throne of Thailand at age 18 following the death of his 20-year-old brother from a still-controversial gunshot wound four days before he was due to return to Switzerland to complete his education. Initially, it was reported as an accidental self-inflicted shooting but, later, three men were convicted of murder and executed but despite a very lengthy trial, it is believed by many that these three were not guilty of the crime.

Just months after the end of WWII, the Chakri Dynasty was on somewhat shaky ground. It's somewhat unclear who could have succeeded Rama VIII or even if the monarchy itself would have survived had the younger brother ,the last person known to have seen his brother alive, been charged with any connection to this death. Any ideas what may have happened to the monarchy, Thailand and even Southeast Asia (so close to the starting guns of the Vietnam War) had the young prince been charged -even if he was exonerated?
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