King Charles III, excluding the Crown Estate valued at £15 billion, holds an estimated personal wealth of about £640 million. This amount, though significant, is overshadowed by the immense fortune of Thailand’s King Rama X.
King Rama X, an extravagant Eastern monarch, has reportedly utilized a portion of his £32 billion wealth to acquire 17,000 houses, 38 private jets, 300 cars, and 52 luxury boats.
Formerly known as His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, the Thai king assumed the throne in 2016 following the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He delayed his coronation to honor his father with a mourning period.
Ascending as the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, which has governed Thailand since 1782, Rama inherited a legacy valued at $43 billion (£32 billion), instantly becoming the wealthiest monarch globally, estimated to be approximately 50 times wealthier than King Charles.
Rama has reportedly managed his vast wealth prudently, making investments in real estate and the telecommunications sector to further enhance his already substantial fortune.
His property holdings include commercial structures, luxury hotels, and historic palaces. Additionally, he possesses around 300 luxury vehicles, ranging from classic Rolls-Royces to state-of-the-art supercars. His personal aviation fleet comprises 38 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, many customized to meet his specific needs.
In adherence to Thai tradition, he maintains a ceremonial fleet of 52 golden barges, used for regular river processions that showcase the monarchy’s deep cultural connections with the nation.
Similar to Britain’s Crown Estate, Thailand oversees the Crown Property Bureau, managing the royal family’s business interests. Nevertheless, Rama has exerted increasing personal control over the organization.
Some Thai citizens have challenged Rama’s rule, advocating for democratic reforms, constitutional amendments, and the abolition of Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws, which criminalize any criticism of the monarch.
Concerns have also emerged regarding the disparity between the king’s vast wealth and Thailand’s stark economic inequality.
In 2019, Rama brought two army units under his direct command, a move described by Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations as a step towards establishing a closer semblance of an absolute monarchy in the country.
Kurlantzick, in an article for World Politics Review, highlighted that while Rama’s father, Bhumibol, had been relatively discreet in political matters, Rama has strategically positioned himself at the center of Thai politics, diminishing the influence of both the military and politicians in the process.
