A village in the Seychelles called La Misere is demanding millions in damages for pollution caused by the construction of a huge palace for the United Arab Emirates president, residents said Thursday.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, also the prince of Abu Dhabi, is building a lavish compound on the highest spot of the Indian Ocean nation’s main island, on the site of a former US tracking station.

The financially troubled Gulf emirate of Dubai on Monday opened the world’s tallest building, a glistening concrete, glass and steel pinnacle rising 828 metres (2,717 feet) out of the desert sands.

Blazing fireworks rippled up and down the massive structure after it was officially opened by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum.

He renamed the building, previously known as Burj Dubai, Burj Khalifa in honour of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world’s richest royal, with a fortune estimated at $US35 billion, according to a Forbes magazine list dominated by Middle Eastern monarchs riding high on surging oil prices.

King Bhumibol, 80 years old and the world’s longest-reigning monarch after six decades on the throne, is regarded as semi-divine by many Thais.

Forbes called it a good year for monarchies, investment-wise. “As a group, the world’s 15 richest royals have increased their total wealth to 131 billion dollars, up from 95 billion last year”. With oil prices soaring, the monarchs of the petro-kingdoms of the Middle East and Asia dominate the list.