Just to add my own story of a distant brush with Thai royalty: I had the pleasure of staying at Chiva Som some years ago. This resort is located very close to the King's summer palace. While there and sitting on the beach, my waiter rushed to tell me that the gentleman I had just seen walk past me with two men following was the King, simply out for a stroll on the beautiful beach. I, too, was warned that no negative comments were ever to be made regarding the royal family, but that apparently there is a son who is quite the playboy. All told to me in hushed terms, of course!