Earlier this year Nepal voted to eliminate its 240-year-old Hindu monarchy; former king Gyanendra was forced to turn over his royal palace in Kathmandu, which has become a museum. So far the 15 rulers on our list have held on to their riches despite controversy and, as a group, have increased their total wealth to $131 billion, up from $95 billion last year. At the top of the list is Thailand’s King Bhumibol, whose $35 billion estimated net worth is up sevenfold as a result of increased transparency of his Crown Property Holdings. He takes the top spot from the only other Asian monarch on the list, the Sultan of Brunei, one of only two rulers worth less than they were last year. Keep in mind that the wealth of the royals is often shared with extended families and can represent money that is controlled by them in trust for their nation or territory. here