The World's 15 Wealthiest Royals

The list is here. Top of the list is the king of Thailand, reportedly worth US$35 billion. Queen Elizabeth ranks 12th at $650 million. Related stories here and here.

However, Thailand disputes this. Story here. Anything I have to say on the matter could net me 15 years in the poky, so I’ll make no comment. I can point out, however, that at least one of the linked stories points out the king’s net worth has always been shrouded in secrecy. They seriously do not like people delving into stuff like this.

I thought Queen Latifah would make the list.

Wow. Prince Albert is on the list. A friend of mine knows him.

I’m curious–what’s the Thai government’s motive for crying poor? An excess of “aw shucks, tweren’t nothing” modesty?

Pft, that’s nothing. A bunch of my friends have ones of their own.

I thought he lived in a can – surprising he’s on the list.

No, they simply do not like their royals scrutinized in any way whatsoever, lest someone say or do something that gives offense, no matter how inadvertently. You would not believe the little things that have gotten taken all out of proportion and ended up giving offense. I dare not give any examples.

They let him out after someone made a phone call.

Ah, the Inscrutable Orient. It’s all about losing face.

I thought the Sultan of Brunei was ther richest.

huh, Emperor Akihito didn’t make the list. I guess the Imperial Palace isn’t considered his then, since the value of that much property smack in the center of Tokyo would put him on top by a wide margin.

Well, he’s no.4, so maybe he made some bad investments.

Well thats the last time I lend him money then.

I was thinking Jose Guillen, followed by Gil Meche…

Not anymore. In fact, he probably never was. Forbes managed to do some, ah, digging in Thailand and unearthed quit a bit.

I happen to know the guy largely responsible for the Thailand part. They agreed to keep his name off of it, because he still wants to live and work here. Or at least he did; he just accepted a lucrative job offer in Jakarta today.

Whats going on there at the moment SAM ?
Is it a revolution or what?

No, just a bunch of ignorant louts. I have a thread on the situation here.