Latest news with #MahaVajiralongkorn
UPI
3 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
American academic returning to U.S. after Thai charges dropped
Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, seen here as crown prince in 2016. An American academic has been permitted to lave the country after prosecutors decided against prosecuting him on charges of insulting the monarchy. File Photo by Rungroj Yongrit/European Pressphoto Agency May 30 (UPI) -- An American academic facing up to 15 years in a Thai prison on allegations of insulting the monarchy has been permitted to leave the country, according to a nonprofit that advocates for Americans imprisoned abroad. Global Reach told UPI in an emailed statement that Paul Chambers was permitted to leave Thailand on Thursday after resolving what it called "false" lese-majeste charges. "I am relieved that this situation has been resolved," Chambers said in a statement. "I have always had great respect for the Thai royal family, and anyone who knows me understands that these charges were always based on false allegations by unnamed parties in the military." Chambers, a Thai studies scholar and lecturer at Thailand's Naresuan University, was arrested and charged by Thai authorities in April following a complaint filed against him by the military over an October online post promoting a webinar that he was to participate in. The English-language post was published on the website of Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. The academic webinar was on Thai studies, and Chambers, a leading expert on the Thai military and Southeast Asian politics, gave a talk about the Thai military. Chambers was not involved in the post's creation. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Chambers was allowed to leave the country after the Attorney General's Office announced Wednesday that prosecutors decided not to continue the case against the American. Prosecutors made the decision in early May, but the attorney general needed to affirm the decision. Chambers was originally detained April 9, but was later permitted to leave police custody and was required to wear an ankle monitor and surrender his U.S. passport and work visa, Global Reach said. Following his arrest, the U.S. State Department issued a statement saying it was monitoring Chambers' situation while condemning the controversial lese-majeste law. Kieran Ramsey, who worked with Chambers on behalf of Global Reach, praised the United States for its response to the case, saying, "This was one of the best responses I have ever seen from the U.S. government." According to Global Reach, Chambers will return to Oklahoma to see his family and will work from the United States. More than 270 people have been detained, prosecuted and punished under the lese-majeste laws since 2020, according to an expert panel from United Nations that said such laws "have no place in a democratic country."
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand drops royal insult case against American academic
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn reviews the guard of honour, during a trooping of the colours ceremony to mark the 72nd birthday of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Thailand, December 3, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo BANGKOK (Reuters) -A royal insult prosecution against an American scholar in Thailand that raised concerns in the U.S. government has been dropped, his lawyer said on Thursday, as authorities confirmed the academic had left the country. Paul Chambers, 58, a political science lecturer, had been in legal limbo since his arrest last month on alese-majeste charge, which led to the loss of his job, his work visa and the seizure of his passport. Thailand has one of the world's harshest lese-majeste laws, setting jail terms of up to 15 years for anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family. The prosecutor earlier this month dropped the case against Chambers but police appealed that decision. The attorney-general overruled the appeal earlier this week, said Chambers' lawyer, Wannaphat Jenroumjit. "The case is now concluded," she said, adding the legal team was appealing the revocation of his work visa. The U.S. State Department had expressed alarm at the arrest of Chambers, saying the case "reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lese-majeste laws in Thailand". The charges against him, which came after a complaint by the royalist army, had stemmed from ablurbfor an online academic seminar at which he was a speaker, according to his lawyers. The blurb was posted last year on the website of a research institute based outside of Thailand. Chambers could not be contacted for comment on Thursday. Thailand's constitution enshrines the king in a position of "revered worship" and royalists regard the palace as sacrosanct. A party that won the 2023 election was dissolved last year over its campaign to amend the lese-majeste law, under which more than 280 people have been charged since 2020, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights legal aid group, which also represented Chambers. Thai immigration police confirmed Chambers' passport had been returned to him and that he had left the country earlier on Thursday. "The case is closed as the attorney-general decided to drop it," Police Major General Sarawut Khonyai, a commander of immigration police in northern Thailand, told Reuters. (Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Martin Petty)
News18
25-05-2025
- Business
- News18
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, The World's Richest Monarch, Owns 300 Cars And 38 Jets
Last Updated: Unlike most billionaires, King Vajiralongkorn's fortune is built on a long-standing royal legacy, combined with strategic modern investments. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, or King Rama X, is reportedly the richest king worldwide. According to Business Standard, his vast wealth has brought him international recognition, surpassing many billionaires. King Maha Vajiralongkorn's wealth is truly staggering, estimated at around Rs 3.7 lakh crore (approximately USD 43 billion). This fortune stems from both a vast inheritance and extensive investments. He reportedly owns an incredible 17,000 properties in Bangkok, along with over 300 luxury cars from every top brand imaginable. His collection goes beyond land vehicles—he is said to possess 38 private jets, showcasing his love for extravagant travel. And if that wasn't enough, the King also reportedly owns 52 gold-decorated boats, highlighting his passion for luxury rides on water as well. King Vajiralongkorn's assets span land, air, and sea, making him one of the wealthiest and most lavish monarchs in the world. King Maha Vajiralongkorn comes from a distinguished royal lineage, with his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, being one of the world's longest-serving monarchs. Following the death of his father in 2016, Vajiralongkorn officially took the throne in 2019. King Bhumibol died on October 13, 2016, at the age of 88. Vajiralongkorn took the throne and inherited much more than just the crown. Born to King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, he had a diverse education spanning several countries. According to Reuters, he completed his schooling in Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Australia before enrolling at Canberra's prestigious Royal Military College. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in military studies. Throughout his life, King Vajiralongkorn has been married four times, with each marriage drawing significant public and media interest. His personal life often makes headlines, much like his lavish spending habits. Despite facing criticism and controversy, the King continues to be one of the richest and most influential monarchs globally. First Published: May 25, 2025, 14:30 IST
09-05-2025
- General
An elaborate centuries-old royal ritual in Thailand's capital predicts a good year for farmers
BANGKOK -- Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn presided Friday over an elaborate annual ceremony that marks the start of the rice-planting season and honors the nation's farmers. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is held to read auguries that predict the farming conditions for the year ahead. As is usually the case, good times were predicted, even though Thailand's economy is sluggish. The King and Queen Suthida were sheltered from the bright sun by ornate umbrellas at the ceremony's traditional venue, Sanam Luang, or 'Royal Ground,' a large field near the Grand Palace in the capital Bangkok. According to Thai historians, the ritual goes back some 700 years. Then, as now, the cultivation of rice was central to the country's culture and economy, and the ceremony is meant to give encouragement to farmers as the new planting season begins. The ceremony was led by the highest-ranking civil servant in the Agriculture Ministry, serving as the Lord of the Ploughing Ceremony. In a colorful traditional costume, he chose from a selection of cloths, and the one he picked was interpreted to signify satisfactory rainfall and an abundant harvest. In the ceremony's second stage, he anointed the heads of two 'sacred' oxen, who then pulled a plough around a section of the field several times, as he scattered seeds at the front of a small procession with more traditionally garbed participants. The two oxen, called 'Por' and 'Piang' — which together mean 'sufficiency' — then chose from a selection of food offered by Brahmin priests. The foods chosen were water, grass and liquor, which symbolize adequate water supplies, abundance of food supplies and what was interpreted as good international trade, respectively. After the departure of the king and queen, onlookers sprinted onto the field to collect the scattered seeds as souvenirs or to add to their own rice stores at home for a meritorious mix.
Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Royal ritual in Thailand's capital predicts good year for farmers
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has presided over an elaborate annual ceremony that marks the start of the rice-planting season and honours the nation's farmers. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is held to read auguries that predict the farming conditions for the year ahead. As is usually the case, good times were predicted, even though Thailand's economy is sluggish. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn addressed the crowds (Pool via AP) The King and Queen Suthida were sheltered from the bright sun by ornate umbrellas at the ceremony's traditional venue, Sanam Luang, or 'Royal Ground', a large field near the Grand Palace in the capital Bangkok. According to Thai historians, the ritual goes back some 700 years. Then, as now, the cultivation of rice was central to the country's culture and economy, and the ceremony is meant to give encouragement to farmers as the new planting season begins. Oxen are presented with a tray of various choices of food by Thai officials during the ceremony (Pool via AP) The ceremony was led by the highest-ranking civil servant in the agriculture ministry, serving as the Lord of the Ploughing Ceremony. In a colourful traditional costume, he chose from a selection of cloths, and the one he picked was interpreted to signify satisfactory rainfall and an abundant harvest. In the ceremony's second stage, he anointed the heads of two 'sacred' oxen, who then pulled a plough around a section of the field several times, as he scattered seeds at the front of a small procession with more traditionally garbed participants. Royal attendants guide the two oxen, called Por and Piang (Pool via AP) The two oxen, called 'Por' and 'Piang' – which together mean 'sufficiency' – then chose from a selection of food offered by Brahmin priests. The foods chosen were water, grass and liquor, which symbolise adequate water supplies, abundance of food supplies and what was interpreted as good international trade, respectively. After the departure of the king and queen, onlookers sprinted onto the field to collect the scattered seeds as souvenirs or to add to their own rice stores at home for a meritorious mix.
