The Fortune of a Lifetime
- 17,000 homes
- 38 private jets
- 52 gold-embellished boats
- 300+ luxury cars
- Estimated net worth: 43 billion US dollars
Considered the richest monarch on the planet, King Rama X, whose real name is Maha Vajiralongkorn, has ruled Thailand since October 13, 2016. His fortune is the stuff of legend—not just inherited from his illustrious family, but meticulously grown through savvy business sense and strategic investments. If you ever find yourself at the renowned Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music (especially when stars like Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo are in town), you might just catch a rare glimpse of him amidst the fanfare. His appearances are rare, making each one a national event.
How to Build a Royal Treasure Chest
So, what does it take to build a net worth that makes even tech billionaires raise an eyebrow? For King Rama X, it’s all about mixing old-school legacy with business cunning. He commands an empire of:
- 17,000 properties alone in the Thai capital, Bangkok
- 6,560 hectares of prime Thai land, managed through the Crown Property Bureau (which he took personal control of after his father’s passing)
- 40,000 additional rental contracts nationwide
Rental income from his immense property holdings in Bangkok alone generates substantial revenue. But that’s not all—King Rama X is involved in “large-scale and high-value real estate projects” too. And for those who like their luxury on four wheels, his collection of more than 300 luxury cars more than fits the bill. Yes, just reading that can make your own garage blush.
Royal Ventures and Strategic Investments
Besides real estate, the king owns significant shares in some of Thailand’s top corporations, “mainly in the telecommunications and energy sectors”, according to local sources. His investments in these key strategic domains demonstrate what Gazzetta calls
“a monarch who knows how to seize the opportunities available to him to shine.”
He’s not just a figurehead—but a business heavyweight, positioning his kingdom (and himself) for sustained growth.
A Life Shaped for the Throne
Maha Vajiralongkorn was groomed for the throne from a young age. His education took him far from home: first to elite military academies in Australia and the United Kingdom, then on to flight school where he learned to pilot both jet fighters and helicopters. While still young, he “participated in military missions against insurgents alongside the Royal Thai Army,” as reported by the media. It’s a past that adds another layer to his already complex legacy.
Within Thailand, the king’s dual nature is a subject of ongoing fascination: constantly oscillating between deep-rooted tradition and staggering opulence.
