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Thai King shot at with air pistol in Germany

King Maha Vajiralongkorn was cycling when he was hit by plastic bullets

Chloe Farand
Thursday 22 June 2017 13:35 EDT
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King Maha Vajiralongkorn
King Maha Vajiralongkorn (AFP/Getty Images)

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A pair of teenagers are suspected to have shot the King of Thailand with an air pistol, German authorities said.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn was cycling with his entourage in Munich earlier this month when he was struck by plastic bullets.

Prosecutors said the 13 and 14-year-old had fired at the group from a nearby house or garden.

The royal, who regularly visits Bavaria, was unhurt.

The 14-year-old boy, who has not been named, is being investigating by authorities for attempted grievous bodily harm. The 13-year-old is too young to be investigated.

The prosecutor said it was unclear whether the boys knew, who they were shooting at.

"A toy pistol, a soft air pistol, was used. First it was fired at a group of cyclists, one of whom was the King of Thailand," said prosecutor Thomas Rauscher.

An official at the palace in Bangkok said they were unaware of the incident.

King Vajiralongkorn, 64, took to the throne in December following the October 2016 death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had reigned for seven decades.

His coronations is likely to take place later this year.

The king's household said they had no interest in charges being brought in the case, prosecutors said.

Representatives at the Thai Embassy in Berlin were not available for comment.

The prosecutor's office will decide whether to charge the teenager with a criminal offence.

Additional reporting by agencies.

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