3 replies to this topic

[DOLLY]

Thailand's king has been rated the richest monarch in the world by Forbes Magazine, although he lost 5 billion last year on market conditions:

"No. 1 on our list, for the second year in a row, is Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He is worth $30 billion, $5 billion less than last year, as a result of double-digit declines in real estate and stocks owned via the Crown Property Bureau, the state investment vehicle of which he is a trustee. Rising political tensions have also destabilized the country, dampening even the important tourism sector. . .

World's longest-reigning monarch is revered like a demigod on par with Buddha. U.S.-born, Swiss-educated ruler remains unifying force in an increasingly politically tumultuous state divided among the elite, middle and rural classes. The declining economy, which slipped into recession in the first quarter, may fuel further tensions.

Monarch's wealth is held in trust for the state and includes public investments in companies such as Siam Cement and Siam Commercial Bank as well as vast land holdings, including some 3,500 acres in Bangkok managed by the Crown Property Bureau. Thai government officials stress these holdings are not the king's personal wealth, but held in trust for the state."

http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/17/monarchs-...est-royals.html

[UncleSam]

real estate and stocks owned via the Crown Property Bureau, the state investment vehicle of which he is a trustee.

How does one go about becoming a beneficiary ?

[Hedda]

It would be an understatement to say that the legal status of "crown property" has been in a state of muddy flux ever since the revolution of 1932. According to Handley's book, there has been a constant tug of war between palace supporters and populists to gain and keep control over these assets, which flowed largely toward more givernment control after the abdication of Rama VII and absence of a monarch in residence for years, but which have seen a retrenchment in this reign, with the palace re-asserting absolute discretion over their control. Suffice to say, if money talks here, the magnitude of these assets must shout very far and wide.

[UncleSam]

Just imagine what good might have happened if Mother Teresa had been a billionaire.

Hehehe....