This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40355652
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Thailand King Vajiralongkorn shot at with air pistol | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The authorities in Germany say the King of Thailand was unhurt when two teenage boys shot at him in the dark with an air pistol. | The authorities in Germany say the King of Thailand was unhurt when two teenage boys shot at him in the dark with an air pistol. |
King Maha Vajiralongkorn - who spends much of his time in Germany - was cycling late at night with his entourage near Munich airport. | King Maha Vajiralongkorn - who spends much of his time in Germany - was cycling late at night with his entourage near Munich airport. |
The boys - aged 13 and 14 - shot at him from the window of a house in the town of Erding on 10 June, prosecutors say. | The boys - aged 13 and 14 - shot at him from the window of a house in the town of Erding on 10 June, prosecutors say. |
It's not clear if they hit the king but no-one was injured. | It's not clear if they hit the king but no-one was injured. |
King Vajiralongkorn, 64, took the throne last year following the death of his father. | King Vajiralongkorn, 64, took the throne last year following the death of his father. |
"As of now it is not certain that the king himself was hit," a spokesman for the local prosecutor's office, Thomas Rauscher, told BBC Thai. | "As of now it is not certain that the king himself was hit," a spokesman for the local prosecutor's office, Thomas Rauscher, told BBC Thai. |
"All that is known is that the king was part of a group of cyclists and that shots were fired at this group." | "All that is known is that the king was part of a group of cyclists and that shots were fired at this group." |
He said shots were also fired later when the group drove past in the king's car. | He said shots were also fired later when the group drove past in the king's car. |
"The total number of shots is as yet unknown. We know however that more than one shot was fired." | "The total number of shots is as yet unknown. We know however that more than one shot was fired." |
It's not clear if the boys knew who they were shooting at. | It's not clear if the boys knew who they were shooting at. |
The 14-year-old is being investigated on suspicion of attempted bodily harm, although the king declined to press charges. The 13-year-old is too young to face prosecution under German laws. | The 14-year-old is being investigated on suspicion of attempted bodily harm, although the king declined to press charges. The 13-year-old is too young to face prosecution under German laws. |
"The king was not interested in taking any legal action against the boys… But in Germany, it is not up to the victim to decide [about the charges]," said Mr Rauscher. | "The king was not interested in taking any legal action against the boys… But in Germany, it is not up to the victim to decide [about the charges]," said Mr Rauscher. |
The monarch's personal guards are understood to have called the police. | The monarch's personal guards are understood to have called the police. |
The king has two villas on Lake Starnberg, about 60km (37.5 miles) away from Erding, Bild Zeitung reports. | The king has two villas on Lake Starnberg, about 60km (37.5 miles) away from Erding, Bild Zeitung reports. |
He will not be formally crowned until some time after the cremation of his father, which is expected later this year. | He will not be formally crowned until some time after the cremation of his father, which is expected later this year. |
Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was widely seen as a pillar of stability during seven decades of political turmoil in Thailand. | Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was widely seen as a pillar of stability during seven decades of political turmoil in Thailand. |
But his son is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity, and has spent much of his life abroad. | But his son is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity, and has spent much of his life abroad. |
Married and divorced three times, he has seven children. Most ordinary Thais know only a few details about who he is and how he lives his life. | Married and divorced three times, he has seven children. Most ordinary Thais know only a few details about who he is and how he lives his life. |
But many will remember his interest in cycling. In 2015 thousands of Thai cyclists joined the then-crown prince in a ride through Bangkok in honour of his mother, Queen Sirikit. | But many will remember his interest in cycling. In 2015 thousands of Thai cyclists joined the then-crown prince in a ride through Bangkok in honour of his mother, Queen Sirikit. |
It was the first event to be publicly led by the prince and served to underline that he was the undisputed heir to the throne. | It was the first event to be publicly led by the prince and served to underline that he was the undisputed heir to the throne. |
Previous version
1
Next version