Thailand has the best king ever

https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-thailand-coronation-20190504-story.html
Thailand crowns its king in a gilded spectacle rarely seen in the modern era
By Shashank Bengali
May 04, 2019 | 6:05 PM | Bangkok


Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn is transported on a palanquin by royal bearers as part of coronation ceremonies in Bangkok on Saturday. (Associated Press)


The three-day coronation ceremonies of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn are estimated to cost $30 million, according to the government. (Associated Press)

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Crowds were sparse in the streets surrounding the palace, with few Thais braving security checkpoints to show their support for the new monarch. Police sources said only a few thousand people had come out, though they declined to be named lest they be seen as criticizing the king, a criminal offense.

In his first royal command, Vajiralongkorn, who will rule as King Rama X, the 10th monarch of the 237-year-old Chakri dynasty, pledged to “forever reign with righteousness, for the benefit and happiness of the people.”

The scale and pageantry reflected not only time-honored rituals but also the growing wealth of the monarchy, which controls tens of billions of dollars in banking and real estate assets that the king brought under his personal control after his father died. The government said the coronation would cost about $30 million.

Much of Bangkok, however, ignored the proceedings. A 28-year-old sales representative, who gave his name only as Bon, said he didn’t watch the ceremony because he had to work.

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https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-thai-king-bodyguard-queen-20190502-story.html
King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand marries his bodyguard, now Queen Suthida
By Associated Press
May 02, 2019 | 6:15 AM | BANGKOK, Thailand


Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn is accompanied by Queen Suthida ahead of a coronation ceremony at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 2. (EPA/Shutterstock)

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An announcement Wednesday in the Royal Gazette said Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya is legally married to the 66-year-old king, and is now Queen Suthida.

Although she has been in the public eye for about three years, there has been little official information released about her and the news was a surprise to many Thais. She is reported to be 40 years old and to have previously worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways International. The two reportedly met on a flight.

Suthida joined the palace guard in 2013 and became commander of the king's security unit, currently holding a general's rank. The new queen also has several top royal decorations.

Vajiralongkorn has had three previous marriages and divorced his last wife, with whom he has a son, in 2014. He became king after the death in October 2016 of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

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https://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/how-an-air-hostess-turned-in-to-a-bodyguard-and-on-to-become-queen-of-thailand/news-story/d5c7bfa6610161085829fc447612d550
How an air hostess turned in to a bodyguard and on to become Queen of Thailand
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn married his bodyguard, in an unexpected ceremony. Now the former air hostess is a queen.
Vanessa Brown@vanessajbrown | news.com.au | May 4, 20197:59am



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King Maha Vajiralongkorn will have his coronation this Saturday, an event that will take place almost three years after his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in 2016 after seven decades on the throne.

According to Business Insider, Vajiralongkorn is the world’s richest monarch, having last year taken full ownership of the Crown Property Bureau, which is estimated to have at least $US42.6 billion worth of holdings.

Despite his upcoming coronation, King Maha Vajiralongkorn is not popular with everyone in his country. As the only son and heir following his father’s death, the new king is known more for his eclectic dress sense as well as his scandal-plagued past.

In 2016, he was snapped at Munich airport wearing a small white crop-top, faded slim-fit jeans and a fake tattoo sleeve.



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