ABC Home | Radio | Television | News | Your Local ABC | More Subjects… | Shop

Email

Thai king world's wealthiest royal: Forbes

Posted August 22, 2008 08:37:00

Forbes magazine says Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's richest royal sovereign, with a fortune estimated at $US35 billion ($40 billion).

The magazine says oil-rich Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi is second, with $US23 billion.

King Bhumibol, 80 and, at 62 years on the throne the world's longest-serving head of state, pushed to the top of the richest royals list by virtue a greater transparency surrounding his fortune, Forbes said.

It said that the Crown Property Bureau, which manages most of his family's wealth, "granted unprecedented access this year, revealing vast landholdings, including 3,493 acres in Bangkok."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was 12th on the list with $US650 million.

-AFP

Tags: human-interest, royalty, thailand, united-arab-emirates

The Shallow End

Australia star Brandon Walters

Oscar buzz

The young star of Baz Luhrmann's Australia, Brandon Walters, is being mooted for an Academy Award.

Listen

New Zealand paceman Tim Southee

First Test

NZ paceman Tim Southee speaks to Grandstand after ripping through Australia's top order.

Gallery

Floodwaters cover Noble Street at Windsor in Brisbane after severe storms swept over the city

SE Qld flooding

Photos of flooded streets and storm damage caused by more wild weather.