Bangkok | For such a big change it was a very small announcement. An unscheduled communiqué published on its website on Saturday, June 16, 2018 revealed that Thailand’s Crown Property Bureau had transferred its entire portfolio – royal assets worth tens of billions of dollars held for more than 80 years on behalf of the monarchy and the nation – into the hands of the new Maha Vajiralongkorn.

“All Crown Property assets are to be transferred and revert to the ownership of His Majesty so that they may be administered and managed at His Majesty’s discretion,” the CPB said, clarifying the details of a crown property law passed the previous year. It added that the assets would “now be held in the name of His Majesty” and be subject to tax.

Financial Times