King Charles III’s personal wealth, excluding the £15 billion value of the Crown Estate managed on his behalf, is estimated at around £640 million. In comparison, Thailand’s King Rama X possesses a staggering fortune. The Thai monarch, officially known as His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, inherited a legacy worth $43 billion (around £32bn) upon ascending to the throne in 2016. This immense wealth has enabled him to acquire 17,000 houses, 38 private jets, 300 cars, and 52 luxury boats.
Reportedly, King Rama has astutely managed his wealth by investing in property and the telecommunications sector, significantly increasing his already substantial fortune. His diverse property portfolio includes commercial buildings, luxury hotels, and historic palaces. Furthermore, he is said to own around 300 luxury vehicles, including classic Rolls-Royces and modern supercars. The king’s “air force” consists of 38 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft tailored to his specific needs.
In line with Thai customs, King Rama maintains a ceremonial fleet of 52 golden barges used for river processions that emphasize the monarchy’s deep cultural connections to the nation. While similar to Britain’s Crown Estate, Thailand’s Crown Property Bureau oversees the royal family’s commercial interests, but King Rama has increasingly tightened his personal control over the organization.
Despite his immense wealth, challenges have arisen regarding King Rama’s reign, with calls for democratic reforms, constitutional changes, and the repeal of Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws, which prohibit criticism of the monarch. In 2019, the king brought two army units under his direct command, a move seen by some as a step towards an absolute monarchy.
According to Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations, King Rama has been more active in Thai politics compared to his father, Bhumibol, consolidating power and diminishing the influence of both the army and politicians.