Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn’s fondness for Germany faces greater scrutiny amid protests

When Thailand recorded its first cases of coronavirus, the King was nowhere to be seen in his kingdom.

As cases spiked in April and May, King Vajiralongkorn — alongside an entourage of about 100 staff — was in a hotel in Germany’s Bavarian Alps that was closed to the public.

This was yet another bad look for the sovereign who has long been criticised for the significant time he spends in Germany.

This is one of many factors that has fuelled youth-led protests against Thailand’s ruling class in recent months, with demonstrators calling for broad social and political reforms.