The Thai King's Bavarian Base: Why Germany?

The King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, has been spending extensive periods of time in Germany, making the country his second home. The Thai King's presence in his adopted Bavarian home has been a source of controversy in both Germany and Thailand, with questions arising about whether he is conducting political affairs from German soil and whether he has paid the correct property and inheritance taxes. The Thai King owns a €10 million home in the lakeside town of Tutzing, and spends much of his time at the luxury Sonnenbichl Hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The Thai king's frequent visits to Bavaria

The King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, has frequently stayed in Germany since 2016, when he ascended the throne upon his father's death. He owns a €10 million villa in the lakeside town of Tutzing in Bavaria, where he has spent much of his time since becoming king. He also spends time at the luxury Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl in the Bavarian Alps, which he rents out entirely for his entourage. The king's presence in his adopted Bavarian home has been controversial in both Germany and Thailand, with some questioning whether he is ruling his country from Germany and whether this is allowed under international law.

The king first took up residence in Bavaria over a decade ago, when he was crown prince. His choice of residence was long a staple of reports in the curiosity sections of tabloid newspapers and on lifestyle TV programmes in Germany. These occasional reports were often fuelled by bizarre public sightings, such as the king wearing a tight-fitting crop top over a bare torso while shopping.

In early 2000, mass pro-democracy protests broke out in Thailand, initially directed at the government but later including demands for reform of the Thai monarchy. This triggered questions about the king's status under international law while residing in Germany. The German government has said it is satisfied by assurances that the king is not conducting official Thai business in Germany. However, there are still concerns that he is conducting political affairs from German soil. Sevim Dagdelen, a member of the Left Party and part of the German parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, has said that it is "naive" for the German government to assume that the king is not dealing with political issues while in Germany.

The king's absence from Thailand for much of the time since he took the throne has been a source of controversy back home. In 2020, mass pro-democracy protests against the country's government erupted in Bangkok, and demonstrators began to call for reforms to the monarchy. Hundreds of people were arrested, and Thailand's constitutional court said the protestors were attempting to overthrow the monarchy. The king's frequent stays in Germany have become a major political issue in both countries.

The controversy surrounding his presence in Germany

The controversy surrounding King Maha Vajiralongkorn's presence in Germany

The presence of the Thai king in Germany has been a source of controversy in both Germany and Thailand. The king's decision to spend a significant amount of time in Germany, particularly in the Bavarian Alps, has become a major political issue in both countries.

In Thailand, there have been mass pro-democracy protests and calls for reforms to the monarchy, with demonstrators breaking a long-standing taboo by criticising the monarchy, despite the risk of facing decades in jail. The king's extended absences from Thailand have been a source of controversy, with some questioning whether he is ruling the country from Germany and whether this is allowed under international law.

In Germany, there have been growing calls to investigate the king's political activities while he is in the country. There are concerns that the king is conducting Thai political affairs from German soil, which would go against German law and international norms. German officials have stated that they expect the king not to conduct affairs relating to Thailand while in Germany and that they assume no decisions will be made on German soil that contradict German laws, international law, or internationally guaranteed human rights.

There have also been questions surrounding the king's tax affairs in Germany. As a resident of Germany and a property owner in the municipality of Tutzing, the king is subject to inheritance, property, and local taxes. However, there are reports that he has not paid the required taxes, with some estimating that he owes the German state nearly $3 billion in inheritance tax alone. The Bavarian state tax office has refused to comment on the matter due to tax privacy laws.

The controversy has led to increased scrutiny of the king's activities in Germany, with German media regularly reporting on his actions and purchases, such as a $375 million aircraft. There are also reports that the king has sent many of his most valuable possessions to Germany for safekeeping.

Some German politicians and civil society actors have called for a change in government policy towards the Thai king, with some even demanding that he be declared persona non grata. The German government has stated that it is monitoring the situation and could alter its stance if new information comes to light.

The Thai king's tax affairs in Bavaria

The Thai king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, has been under scrutiny in Germany for his tax affairs in Bavaria. The king has been criticised for spending most of his time in the country's southwest state of Bavaria, which became a focal point of protests in Thailand.

The Thai king owns a purported €10 million ($11.3 million) home in the lakeside town of Tutzing and spends much of his time at the luxury Sonnenbichl Hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. He also rents out the entire hotel for his entourage. The king's extended absences have been a source of much controversy back home, with critics calling for reforms to the monarchy and limits on its power.

In addition to questions over property taxes, there is also scrutiny of the king's inheritance tax payments. After the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2016, Vajiralongkorn reportedly received an estimated $10.6 billion in inheritance. Under German law, inheritance tax is 30%, meaning the king could owe the German state nearly $3 billion.

Daniel Lehmann, a partner at Munich financial consultancy Baker Tilly Roelfs, told Manager Magazin: "Since the Crown Prince is domiciled in Germany, he is also subject to inheritance tax." However, the Bavarian state tax office has refused to comment on the matter due to tax privacy laws.

Despite the controversy, the German government has stated that it has no plans to take action against the Thai king for his preference to spend most of his time in Bavaria. In response to questions raised in the German federal parliament, the foreign ministry indicated that it would not intervene as long as the king refrained from conducting official Thai business in Germany.

The German government's response to the situation

Initially, Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas publicly warned the Thai king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, in October 2020, stating that "politics concerning Thailand is not to be done from German soil." He emphasised that Germany "would always oppose having guests in our country who run their state affairs from here." This warning came amid mass pro-democracy protests in Thailand, which also included demands for reform of the monarchy.

The German government accepted assurances from Thailand that King Vajiralongkorn was not conducting official Thai business during his stays in Germany. This temporarily eased tensions, and the king stayed away from Germany for much of 2021.

However, the situation escalated again when the king returned to Germany in November 2021, after a 13-month absence. Sevim Dagdelen, a member of the Left Party and the German parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, criticised the German government's assumption that the king was not conducting political affairs from Germany. Dagdelen called for the king to be declared "persona non grata" by the Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock if he continued to be linked to human rights violations in Thailand.

The German government has reiterated its position that it expects the Thai monarch not to conduct affairs related to Thailand while in Germany. An official source in the German foreign ministry stated that they had clearly communicated their position to the Thai government and received assurances that it would be respected.

Despite these assurances, the German government continues to face pressure from politicians and civil society actors to take a firmer stance. There are growing calls for investigations into the king's political activities and tax affairs in Germany. Junya Yimprasert, a Thai activist based in Europe, has campaigned for years for the German government to take a tougher stance on King Vajiralongkorn, including removing his immunity and allowing for criminal proceedings under German law.

In conclusion, the German government's response has been characterised by initial warnings, followed by a period of eased tensions due to assurances from Thailand. However, the king's return to Germany and ongoing controversies have led to increased scrutiny and pressure on the German government to address the situation more decisively.

The impact of the king's absence on Thailand

The absence of the Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn from his country has had a significant impact on Thailand, sparking controversy and raising questions about the monarchy's role in the country's governance.

Impact on Governance and Politics

The king's absence has fuelled debates and protests calling for reforms and limits on the monarchy's powers. In 2020, mass pro-democracy protests erupted in Bangkok, initially targeting the military government that came to power in a 2014 coup. However, the protests later included demands for a new constitution and reforms of the monarchy, breaking a long-standing taboo against criticising the royal family. The king's absence during this tumultuous period likely contributed to the growing calls for change and may have created a perception of detachment or indifference to the country's political situation.

Impact on Public Perception and Support

King Vajiralongkorn's extended stays in Bavaria have caused frustration and discontent among some Thais, who feel that the king is detached from the people and the country's issues. His absence may have contributed to a sense of disconnect between the monarchy and ordinary citizens, especially as he has assumed greater powers and become more engaged in politics since taking the throne. The king's controversial behaviour, including reports of eccentric public appearances and scantily-clad photos spread on social media, has also likely influenced public perception and support for the monarchy.

Impact on Diplomatic Relations

The king's choice of Bavaria as his adopted home has created diplomatic tensions between Thailand and Germany. Germany has faced growing calls to investigate the king's political activities conducted from German soil and address concerns about potential human rights violations in Thailand. German officials have asserted that the king should not conduct Thai political affairs while in Germany, and there have been discussions about his tax obligations and legal status under international law. These issues have strained bilateral relations and prompted Germany to carefully navigate the delicate balance between respecting the king's immunity as a foreign head of state and addressing the concerns raised by politicians and civil society actors.

Impact on Legal and Constitutional Issues

The king's absence has brought legal and constitutional matters to the forefront, particularly regarding the monarchy's role and powers. Pro-democracy activists and critics have demanded reforms and limits on the monarchy, challenging its traditional powers and privileges. The protests and subsequent court cases have sparked debates about the extent of the monarchy's immunity and whether it should be subject to the same legal and tax obligations as other residents in Germany. These discussions have had broader implications for the interpretation and application of international law regarding foreign heads of state.

In summary, the Thai king's absence and choice to reside in Bavaria have had far-reaching impacts on Thailand. It has fuelled political and social unrest, strained diplomatic relations with Germany, and prompted legal and constitutional debates about the monarchy's role and powers. The king's absence has contributed to a sense of disconnect between the monarchy and the people, with some Thais feeling frustrated and calling for reforms. The situation has also created a diplomatic challenge for Germany, as it navigates the complex issues of immunity, international law, and its relations with Thailand.

Frequently asked questions