BANGKOK – Thailand’s 68-year-old king and his loyal prime minister survived a dangerous 2020, relentlessly exposed to youth-led street protests demanding democracy and limits to the monarch’s wealth and power.

“Maha” or “Great” King Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha now face a harsh January, with a Covid-19 resurgence and promised new rounds of street protests, but are nonetheless expected to emerge secure.