He even named his pet poodle as head of the Air Force.
Thailand is one of those exotic countries that few people know much about. It’s generally known as a tourist destination and that’s about it. But what those of you who are reading this article might not know, is that the country is governed by a monarchy and at the head of the Thai Royal Family is a controversial and often disputed King. We are talking about King Moha Vajiralongkorn who, ever since he ascended to the throne, hasn’t been able to inspire the respect of his more than 70 million subjects.
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And you only need to look at him to see that he’s not exactly the most solemn of Kings. He tends to go out in public wearing crop tops, low-slung jeans and displaying some enormous fake tattoos. But let’s not be superficial, as it’s his behavior and attitudes that the Thai people object to most.
The 68-year-old man is currently engaged to his fourth wife, who shares his company with his official concubine. And his romantic relationships have drawn their fair share of criticism over the years, after incidents such as when he made one of his fiancee’s eat from Foo Foo’s (his poodle) bowl while she was half-naked.
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In fact, with his now deceased poodle Foo Foo, he was embroiled in many other controversies. Like when he enjoyed dressing Foo Foo in the uniform of the Royal Thai Air Force, which of course he named the poodle the head of. Foo Foo’s mandate lasted until the dog’s death in 2015, an event which was marked by a 4-day-long luxury funeral. An indulgence in line with the many of others this man enjoys and who, despite having more than 40 billion dollars in his personal coffers, has refused to pay the school fees of his at least 4 daughters, who he refuses to recognize.
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Orders like demanding that all courtiers fall to their knees before him and that those who don’t will have their head shaved, have led to him being mocked from abroad and ignited local anger towards his rule. The indignation of the Thai people has sparked a wave of riots, which the draconian laws and lèse majesté have been unable to curtail. The threat of 15 years in prison isn’t enough to deter a furious nation. Which is why at one point Maha went into hiding, together with his royal entourage (20 concubines included), in a luxury hotel in Bavaria, Germany.
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However, the European welcome didn’t last long and eventually the German government decided that the Thai king was no longer welcome in their territory. So he had to return home on his personalized Boeing 737, to settle in one of the Thai Royal Family’s many palaces. Meanwhile the protests to his rule have only increased and become more violent. More and more people have stood up to a king who, since he took the throne 4 years ago, has accumulated ever greater power, taking personal control of the crown’s property and royal funds, as well as taking over direct control of the troops and even amending Thailand’s constitution to permit him to govern from abroad.