What is Bhumibol Adulyadej [ape King]?
1.
Bhumibol Adulyadej is Thailand's king. According to Forbes magazine he is the richest monarch in the world, with a personal fortune worth 35 billion dollars.
Bhumibol Adulyadej is protected from criticism by strict lese majeste laws which make it a crime for anyone to criticise him. This offence is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Bhumibol Adulyadej became Thailand's 9th king on the 9th June 1946, the same day that his brother Ananda Mahidol was found shot dead in mysterious circumstances. Many believe Bhumibol was directly responsible for the death of his brother.
At present (Dec 2008) there are two individuals serving prison sentences in Thailand for lese majeste: Harry Nicolaides (Australia) and Da Torpedo (Thailand).
In 2006, Bhumibol Adulyadej endorsed the military coup in Thailand which saw the democratic government ousted from power.
In 2007 the video sharing site Youtube, was blocked in Thailand for allowing users to upload videos mocking the Thai king. Some of these videos can still be seen.
The king of Thailand is also known as Bhumibol Adulyadej
ape king .
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