The eccentric multimillion-dollar king of Thailand, one of the richest men in the world with an estimated fortune of $ 40 billion, has been accused of violating international law by governing his country from a luxurious German ski resort, where he is said to have seen the coronavirus pandemic in the company of an entourage of concubines.
Thailand insists that King Rama, also known as Maha Vajiralongkorn, visit the country privately. But WDR, a German public broadcaster, and the Süddeutsche Zeitung The newspaper has published evidence that uses Germany as a basis for conducting state affairs.
Over the past 18 months, he has sent nearly 100 letters to heads of state, most of them from his Bavarian retreat, according to a report by the investigation. The times of London. He allegedly congratulated the Greek president on his appointment, appointed several new generals and banned his sister from running in the Thai elections, all from the comfort of the luxury resort.
He is also said to have issued an order for the execution of a criminal during his stay.
The Thai embassy in Berlin has not yet responded to the allegations.
The king’s prolonged stay in Germany while conducting state affairs could violate the principle of territorial sovereignty. According to reports, critics are urging the government to declare him persona non grata in Germany and to receive a 3 billion euro ($ 3.6 billion) inheritance tax bill.
Thailand is likely to argue that other heads of government have handled their country’s affairs during trips abroad, but the extended nature of the king’s stay will encourage critics to say that ruling from Germany violates human rights. ‘Germany as a sovereign nation.
Vajiralongkorn’s effective residence in Germany came to light at the beginning of the pandemic, when the government ordered the closure of German hotels. The Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl, at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen alpine station, successfully appealed against the ruling, arguing that it should be allowed to continue hosting the king.
Thai opposition has urged German leader Angela Merkel to oust him, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has warned the king he will face “immediate consequences” if he is found to be doing business illegally. government in German territory..
German consciences have been stung by reports of the increasingly heavy repression of a Thai protest movement against the excesses of the monarchy. Reports about the king’s sex life, eccentric practices such as the appointment of a poodle as a courtier and photos of him in a German mall carrying a small topaller have helped nothing.
The king has long been accused of arrogance and extravagance, and The Daily Beast reported earlier this year that he was supposed to have built an extraordinary fleet of 38 planes and helicopters for his use. Maintenance, fuel, ground support and other fleet costs total nearly $ 64 million for the next fiscal year, according to documents shared with the Financial Times.
Thai law prohibits criticism of the semi-divine royal family or their home, which includes their pets. Infringements are punishable by up to 35 years in prison. However, reports of the king’s indulgent life in Germany are increasingly leaking to the country on social media.
Thailand earlier this year tried to get Facebook to remove a critical group with the monarchy that had more than a million members on the platform.
Thailand’s youth protest movement demands an end to harassment of political dissidents, the drafting of a new constitution and reforms of the monarchy.
The country’s economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism, has been hit by the pandemic, which exacerbates complaints against the king’s indulgent lifestyle.