Part 8: News Words: Taboo

Protesters in Bangkok have been calling on Thailand's royal family to stay out of politics.

Taboo.

In September, protesters placed a sign near a public square in Bangkok.

The sign read in part: "This country belongs to the people and not the king"

Questioning the power of the king and his family was once a taboo subjectin Thailand.

A taboo is a subject, word, or custom that people are barred from talking about in a certain culture or country.

Taboos may be shocking, but they provide social order.

All cultures and religions have taboos.