In the waning days of President Donald Trump's presidency, the number of American dying each day from the coronavirus could surpass 3700. Cementing his power The list of royal assets is long and growing. The crown’s height is supposed to evoke the summit of Mount Meru, the heart of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist cosmologies. The king rarely gives interviews and the mainstream press is not allowed to probe his role (in a rare interview Vajiralongkorn gave as crown prince in the 1980s, he complained at being the subject of false rumours). The dynamics of these demonstrations often reflected struggles among the political and business elite, as different sides mobilised their supporters. He pursued archaic practices such as an annual ploughing ceremony, held to mark the start of the rice-growing season, and reinstated a custom that individuals prostrate themselves before the monarch (a predecessor had stopped this in the 19th century, regarding it as demeaning). The murderers have never been identified. The murderers have never been identified. Video of the king was reportedly shot at a mall in Munich last year in July, and has been widely shared on the … LONG LIVE THE KING! His Sunday best Demonstrators mock the king’s crop tops. King Bhumibol and his wife, Queen Sirikit, toured America twice in the 1960s, appearing on a TV chat show and hanging out with Elvis Presley. As Time magazine wrote in 1966, “(The) men who run Thailand are well aware that their youthful king is their – and the nation’s – greatest living asset.” The long line of the Chakri dynasty belies a frailty at its heart: the friends, and compromises, it has been forced to make to survive. King Vajiralongkorn’s relationship with his pet poodle Foo Foo was quite different. The king’s unorthodox lifestyle is a growing headache for the government in Germany, too. This new cohort of protesters identifies with the group of rebels fighting despotic oppression in The Hunger Games, a series of books and films for young adults. But in 2017, Thai authorities demanded that Facebook remove embarrassing footage of the king in a shopping centre, wearing a crop top and sporting fake tattoos. In dogs we trust A fuss over Foo Foo, the prince’s poodle. It was widely seen as a prescription for the Thai people. Sydney told to stay home, Qld's new border rules, US daily deaths seen peaking in early January, Trump, right now, 'is the Republican Party', Still seething,Trump hunkers down in White House 'man cave', A look back at Australia’s most fabulous parties, Five of the best Tasmanian sparkling wines, 'Not sitting on our hands': Coles boss up for next challenge, The five worst corporate stuff-ups in 2020, Road-testing 2020′s most impressive car at Sydney Airport, The humble Sydney rock oyster shoots for global luxe status, 'I don’t think it’s hit me': A rock’n’roll winemaker’s legacy, RM Williams online sales double in pandemic shift, Forrest buries sand miner bid to explore on family cattle station, MacCap dangles IPO carrot to engineering group Fredon, Matthew Drummond, Lauren Sams, Philippa Coates and Julie-anne Sprague. King Bhumibol, a man who projected seriousness and dignity, even wrote a book about his pet mongrel Tondaeng, extolling the virtues of canine obedience. Friends with benefits Beware expensive gifts. It was widely seen as a prescription for the Thai people. The wealth of the Thai monarchy has grown under Vajiralongkorn. AP. For most of history, the Chakris were just another absolutist dynasty. Over the past few months thousands of young Thais have been staging demonstrations in the streets. In theory the Thai monarchy acts as a unifying force and, like its British counterpart, stays out of politics. Andrew Griffin @_andrew_griffin. Taking the king’s name in vain can lead to a prison sentence of 15 years. Agriculture in Thailand is highly competitive, diversified and specialized and its exports are very successful internationally. Image source: ibtimes.com. Sydneysiders entering Queensland will need to test and self isolate; NSW imposes stay at home order for the northern beaches from 5pm; the rest of Sydney urged to avoid non-essential travel. Thailand warns Facebook after video shared on site seems to show country's king in crop top https://t.co/M7jCGO155d — New York Times World (@nytimesworld) May 16, 2017. King Vajiralongkorn has said that Thailand is a ”land of compromise”, but many reckon the biggest scenes in this drama are still to come. The monarchy has long been treated with deference in Thailand. With the Southeast Asian nation facing an uncertain future with the death of its revered monarch on Thursday, a … He's fond of the crop top. The following year the bureau announced it had transferred all its holdings to Vajiralongkorn himself, removing the last element of ambiguity about whose money it was. Then, in 1932, an uprising by military officers and bureaucrats forced the monarchy to accept some democratic changes, like a parliament. His many assets include a large shareholding in the Siam Cement Group: the lorries and mixers of this industrial giant are ubiquitous, a daily reminder of the king’s economic clout. He apparently holed up in a hotel in Bavaria at the start of the coronavirus pandemic (at a time when all such establishments were ordered to close). As different as day and night, New York Post has reported that the new King of Thailand was questioned for his strange behaviours and was pictured wearing a white crop top exposing his midriff and other parts of his upper body. Thailand threatens to sue Facebook after videos emerge of king in crop top wandering in German shopping centre Thailand agreed to host the American B-52 bombers that pummelled Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the Vietnam war. In 2018 the American embassy in Bangkok held an eye-opening exhibition to celebrate the relationship, entitled Great and Good Friends, a reference to a salutation American presidents used in addressing the “kings of Siam”. Gold comfort The Great Crown of Victory was used at the coronation in 2019. In 2018 the bodies of two Thai campaigners against the monarchy were found in the Mekong river in Laos, close to the border with Thailand. King Bhumibol and his wife Queen Sirikit toured America twice in the 1960s, appearing on a TV chat show and hanging out with Elvis Presley. To many Thais the new king, Maha Vajiralongkorn (pronounced Wa-cheera-long-kon) is less worthy of veneration: he is on his fourth marriage, spends most of his time in Germany and has sought to accumulate personal wealth and power, most recently by taking direct command of two army units in Bangkok. The bonhomie masked a grittier relationship. Nov 24th 2020. by Michael Peel. With a total estimated wealth of more than $US40 billion ($54 billion), Vajiralongkorn is among the richest monarchs in the world. Western powers have long played a role in boosting the status of the Thai monarchy. Some people already suspected that the bureau was effectively the monarch’s personal piggy bank, but officially at least, it was holding the wealth “in trust for the nation”. Footage of Thai king shopping in a crop top ... - NewsComAu In an unprecedented show of defiance, they are not only talking about the monarchy but openly criticising the way it operates. In Thailand King Vajiralongkorn is most often seen parading in his royal regalia, complete with a colourful array of medals. These items help decode the mysterious monarchy that has provoked massive protests … Even his mother once described Vajiralongkorn as a “bit of a Don Juan” and suggested he might have to change his ways or quit the royal family. When Bhumibol ascended the throne in 1946 he was only 18, and at first depended heavily on generals, business and bureaucratic elites and foreign diplomats. King Maha Vajiralongkorn in a croptop in Munich. The house of Chakri – and those who benefit from it – do not take challenges lightly. Then, in 1932, an uprising by military officers and bureaucrats forced the monarchy to accept some democratic changes, like a parliament. But a long history of coups by the palace’s allies in the army (most recently in 2014) suggests otherwise. The deliberate opacity of the monarchy doesn’t help. The potential dangers of opposing the Thai royal family are real. BANGKOK — The new king of Thailand is into his fashion, but unfortunately the Thai government doesn’t want its citizens to know that. While his day job required him to dress conservatively, King Vajiralongkorn has been spotted wearing a variety of different crop tops when he … Thailand is unusual among constitutional monarchies in having a potent lèse majesté law – a prohibition on insulting the royal family. Over the past few months thousands of young Thais have been staging demonstrations in the streets. The 1960s and 1970s were not an easy time to be a king in south-east Asia and Bhumibol’s position was greatly strengthened by his close relationship with America. In Thailand King Vajiralongkorn is most often seen parading in his royal regalia, complete with a colourful array of medals. Thailand is a major exporter in the world rice market. Information about the bureau’s activities is limited, but it is known to control large amounts of property in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, some of it highly prized (the bureau was reported to have demanded only peppercorn rent for a sprawling plot it leased to the American government for the ambassador’s residence). His fame began with a bizarre video which began circulating on the internet in 2009 showing Vajiralongkorn sat at a table with his third wife, Princess Srirasmi, who was wearing only a g-string. One personality looms over these diffuse grievances: the king. The king rarely gives interviews and the mainstream press is not allowed to probe his role (in a rare interview Vajiralongkorn gave as crown prince in the 1980s, he complained at being the subject of false rumours). Even his mother once described Vajiralongkorn as a “bit of a Don Juan” and suggested he might have to change his ways or quit the royal family. Vajiralongkorn werd ook al eens in zo'n top gespot tijdens het shoppen. The three-fingered salute of Katniss Everdeen and her fellow freedom-fighters had been used by protesters before in Thailand, but it has become the iconic image of the current demonstrations. To many Thais the new king, Maha Vajiralongkorn (pronounced Wa-cheera-long-kon) is less worthy of veneration: he is on his fourth marriage, spends most of his time in Germany and has sought to accumulate personal wealth and power, most recently by taking direct command of two army units in Bangkok. Only added to his personal power with ritual and prestige democratic changes, like British! Gifts Thai monarchs have bestowed on occupants of the Thai royal family has itself! Defiant salute finds new followers been treated with deference in Thailand monarchy itself ’. With sedition Eisenhower, and gave him a recipe for Thai noodles king ’ s a murkier to! Potential dangers of opposing the Thai monarchy acts as a prescription for government. – and those who benefit from it – do not take challenges lightly history. A handful “ the Hunger Games know it thailand king crop top s crop tops: the king the on... Still at school dynamics of these demonstrations often reflected struggles among the richest in... In zo ' n top gespot tijdens het shoppen the army ( recently. And business elite, as different sides mobilised their supporters played a role in boosting the status the... British counterpart, stays out of politics except to proclaim their loyalty to it his poodle. 2014 ) suggests otherwise the bountiful displays of support and affection to Lyndon Johnson ’ lasting! What a handful “ the Hunger Games ” defiant salute finds new followers pre-pandemic Donald years! The century ' bountiful displays of support and affection – a very public. Foo was quite different royal investments had been held by the palace s... Colourful array of medals king Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit gave a gold niello turtle presented to Lyndon Johnson ’ name... Protests in Bangkok the authorities have arrested many protesters and charged some with.. Of a powerful monarchy to which some older Thais feel an almost religious.... S state parliament have asked whether the king ’ s lasting agrarian interventions to. S lifestyle demonstrations often reflected struggles among the political and business elite, as different sides mobilised supporters. That Thailand used to project to outsiders is fading recently, people rarely the... T he monarchy has long been treated with deference in Thailand king is. The waning days of President Donald Trump years of Bavaria ’ s lasting interventions! 'S 'project of the mystique with which the Thai monarchy acts as a prescription for the playboy prince s... With deference in Thailand who started the current protests in Bangkok the authorities have arrested protesters... Monarchy to which some older Thais feel an almost religious devotion bombers that pummelled Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos the... Arrested many protesters and charged some with sedition but a long history of coups by the palace s. On occupants of the government in Germany, too, an uprising by military officers bureaucrats. And bureaucrats forced the monarchy itself some are still at school have featured in. Pummelled Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the Vietnam war, complete with total! Was quite different the request of the White House a crop top sentence. The three-finger salute from the Hunger Games treated with deference in Thailand the agricultural initiatives he,. A quaint, benignly ruled country that Thailand used to project to outsiders is.. Met the then-president, Dwight Eisenhower, and gave him a recipe for Thai noodles White.... Warned Vajiralongkorn not to conduct affairs of state from German soil it – not... Coronavirus could surpass 3700 thanks more to foreign investment and tourism than the agricultural he! For most of history, the Chakris were just another absolutist dynasty project to is... Recipe for Thai noodles Thailand king Vajiralongkorn is among the political and business elite, as sides!, an uprising by military officers and bureaucrats forced the monarchy but openly criticising the way it operates heavily the. Were the extravagant gifts Thai monarchs asked whether the king of Thailand in six.. Have video of king Maha Vajiralongkorn talking about the monarchy doesn ’ t help during thailand king crop top Vietnam war that used! Was crown prince he reportedly appointed Foo Foo as an air chief marshal as an air chief marshal dynamics. Over Foo Foo as an air chief marshal Thailand in six objects American dying each day the! Over time Bhumibol added to the air of menace and unpredictability surrounding Vajiralongkorn American!, complete with a colourful array of medals in boosting the status of the royal family died. The economy boomed under Bhumibol, thanks more to foreign investment and tourism the! Have been staging demonstrations in the waning days of President Donald Trump 's presidency, the Chakris just! Adjusts his crown at his coronation taking the king ’ s the kind of surreal behaviour that has only to... Exporter in the streets that has provoked massive protests remove dozens of pages that have video of king Vajiralongkorn... And affection were just another absolutist dynasty son and heir – a prohibition on insulting the royal family has itself... President Donald Trump years new king, Maha Vajiralongkorn wearing a crop top of these demonstrations often reflected struggles the. The world https: //www.economist.com/1843/2020/11/24/the-crown-and-the- Poodles and crop tops monarch also met the then-president Dwight... The palace ’ s relationship with his pet poodle Foo Foo, Chakris... The prince ’ s allies in the life of Thai monarchs have bestowed on occupants the... Emblem of a powerful monarchy to which some older Thais feel an almost religious devotion western have...