Thai Prince's plane seized in dispute with Germany

Officials say a plane being used by Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been impounded in Germany as part of a long-running battle over payments for a building project in Thailand.

Robert Wilhelm, a spokesman for the Munich airport, said yesterday the Boeing 737 "Royal Flight" was seized on a court order and is now immobilised and sealed at the airport.

Alexander Goerbing, a spokesman for the bankruptcy administrator of the German construction firm Walter Bau AG, said the plane was seized earlier this week because of the Thai government's refusal to pay €30m (£27m) it owes the firm.

Mr Goerbing said the Thai government owes the now-bankrupt builder the money because of a contract agreed more than 20 years ago to build and operate a toll highway to Bangkok's Don Muang airport.