King of Thailand in a spot of bother

Muahahaha

His dad Bumbibol who died in 2016 was immovable and seen as a demi god by many Thais. But the son who has now taken the crown King Maha has never been liked at all by the public and his reign is in danger. Fairly big protests have broken out recently calling for reforms and this time both the urban middle class and the rural poor are on the same side. True to form the Thai army are locking up the leaders of the protests- Thailand has laws against any criticism of the king and has journalists locked up for even daring to question him.

King Maha is a bit of a lunatic and while his army will likely put down the protests something has changed in Thailand with the peoples relationship to the monarchy. They used to exercise deference and reverance to the previous King but this has now turned into protest against the current one. Among grievances with him is that he hasnt set foot in Thailand in almost three years and he is lives permanently in a 5 star hotel outside Munich, King Maha and his mainly female entourage/harem have taken over the entire hotel and he rules from there. The German Foreign Minister has said he doesnt want Thai politics being conducted from German soil. Millions of Thais are now unemployed due to the collapse of the tourism industry yet the King is taking a cool $1bn for his annual budget. He is already the wealthiest monarch in the world said to be worth a reputed $40 billion but is still coining it every year off the taxpayer.

Another bone of contention is when in 2015 the soon to be King made his pet poodle Foo Foo (since deceased) an Air Marshal in the Royal Thai Air Force, he even gave the dog some military medals. Thai people were exasperated. Then it came out that he ordered that Foo Foo be paid a salary from the Royal Thai Air Force, the dogs salary was a lot more than what a Thai would earn on minimum wage is so naturally millions living in poverty were less than impressed. Foo Foo the poodle often accompanied the King to State events dressed in a tuxedo and with mitts on his paws, the American ambassador described the poodle up on the dinner table beside the king drinking water out of all the guests glasses. Another incident was the Kings 30th birthday where a leaked video emerged of the King, Foo Foo and his wife who was naked except for a g-string lying on the floor and eating birthday cake. Again this didnt go down well in religiously conservative Thailand where nudity is prohibited.

Added to this is the Kings penchant for wearing crop tops and covering himself in fake tattoos. This is a picture of him taken while shopping in Munich with his third wife, a former air hostess for Royal Thai Airways. He later threatened to sue Facebook if they didnt take the photo down. His four sons from his first marriage are estranged and in exile, after a conentious divorce with his first wife where it came out that the King was having an affair with a well known actress the King told his sons that if they return to Thailand he will lock them up. They have said that if they criticise him in any way for how he has treated them then they are looking at life in prison.



Thailand is currently ruled by a military junta who transformed into a political party in what was seen as a completely rigged election designed to install them in power and consolidate the Kings own power. Since the protests against the monarchy began the King has arrived back in Thailand for the first time in almost three years which indicates he is feeling the heat. The Royal motorcade of a princess was held up by protestors the other day and the students involved are looking at up to 15 years in prison for their actions.

Thailand has had many coups over the years with the military generals always taking control and then installing their government of choice. But in the latest coup in 2014 they got rid of the politicians and installed themselves as the ruling party. Thais are crying out for democracy and they now see the King as the main impediment to that. With him finally back in the country his actions over the next few weeks will come under increased scrutiny.

Zebra3

Unelected heads of state are a bad idea.

But a lot are backed by the so-called democracy loving western powers.

Hopefully this one gets overthrown and Thailand becomes a republic.

Mules

I'd be mortified if I was Thai, look at the state of him in the crop top

Odhinn

Mules wrote: »

I'd be mortified if I was Thai, look at the state of him in the crop top

Its not his fault - his moobs just need that extra bit of support.

sabat

This was always going to happen following his father's death. I've heard a lot worse rumours than the ones mentioned about his behaviour-including murder of staff.

ChikiChiki

Some life this lad has. I read somewhere as a trained pilot he occasionally takes an odd jaunt in a jet of his choosing from the Thai Airways fleet.

Chris_Heilong

A mad king, looking at history it is not out of the ordinary but maybe Thailand would be better off with out a king.

duffman13

Was always fascinated by the reverence the Thai people had for the previous King. Never thought I'd see the day the people would rise up against the monarch but the new King is a spanner and deserves nothing less.

afatbollix

He's completely sane...

Sure wouldn't every King make his own poodle the chief of the air force?