The extravagant monarch of a Southeast Asian nation has plenty of quirks that make headlines.

19:09, Sun, Feb 15, 2026 Updated: 19:11, Sun, Feb 15, 2026

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Scene from Thai TV Pool video taken in 2019, shows a ceremony in which Thailand's King married (Image: Getty)

Thailand's monarchy has long fascinated the world for its, at times, eccentric traditions. But few episodes have captured global attention quite like the story of the country's playboy king Maha Vajiralongkorn, formally known as as Rama X, and his deceased miniature poodle, Fufu (or Foo Foo).

Before ascending the throne, Vajiralongkorn, then Crown Prince, made headlines by giving Fufu the rank of Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Thai Air Force. The tiny dog often travelled alongside him on official visits and was treated with the kind of ceremonial honours usually reserved for senior military officers. Observers around the world were left shocked: here was a pet dog effectively enrolled in the armed forces, complete with all the trappings of a high-ranking officer.

Fufu passed away in 2015, but the episode remains one of the most talked-about quirks of the king's personal life. It also encapsulated the irony of extraordinary power and wealth.

The dog's appointment also bemused the then US ambassador to Thailand. In a leaked 2007 cable, diplomat Ralph Boyce spoke of the dog's antics at a gala dinner he hosted, at which Vajiralongkorn was guest of honour, The Daily Mail reported.

Boyce wrote in the now-infamous note that he had confirmed that "the crown prince's miniature poodle, Foo Foo, currently holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal".

"Foo Foo was present at the event, dressed in formal evening attire complete with paw mitts, and at one point during the band's second number, he jumped up onto the head table and began lapping from the guests' water glasses, including my own," he said.

Alongside stories of his pampered poodle, Vajiralongkorn's lifestyle during the Covid-19 pandemic drew further scrutiny.

Reports emerged that he employed a group of around 20 women, described in some media as "sex soldiers", who were said to accompany him while he isolated in a luxury hotel.

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These companions were allegedly chosen to stay with him, providing him with company and entertainment during his extended seclusion.

Thailand's monarchy itself is one of the wealthiest and most revered in the world. The king, who ascended the throne in 2016 following the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, presides over vast assets and enjoys a level of personal security and influence far beyond most other royals.

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The 73-year-old monarch is indeed the wealthiest ruler in the world, with an estimated net worth of £52billion.

While critics have seized on these stories as examples of extravagance, the broader picture is a monarchy that remains central to Thai identity. Even so, the tale of a pampered poodle in uniform and a small army of personal attendants offers an unusual, eyebrow-raising glimpse into the private world of one of the world's richest monarchs.