King of Thailand, ruling as Rama X. He is the son of Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. He was 73 years old in late 2025.
He has been married four times, taken an official mistress, disinherited offspring and lacks an obvious heir. His erratic behaviour has tarnished the monarchy. Many younger Thais believe a quasi-feudal monarchy stands between their country and a modern, democratic politics; they are at best indifferent to the royal nostalgia that the establishment seeks to cultivate.
A 2018 law change strengthened the king's power to appoint abbots and other Buddhist clerics, and he has made much use of it. He has studied Pali, Buddhism's ancient liturgical language, and has been photographed praying and meditating with monks. His father, who died in 2016 after ruling for 70 years, was viewed as a saint by some Thais; the son is not. The palace is said to have been a driving force behind a 2025 push to round up misbehaving monks—perhaps thinking that being seen to act decisively would look good.
It's a good thing we don't get all the government we pay for.