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Vajiralongkorn

May 06, 2023

"Rama X" redirects here. For the Indian ruler of the Kingdom of Cochin, see Rama Varma X.

Vajiralongkorn (Thai: วชิราลงกรณ; RTGS: Wachiralongkon, pronounced [wá.tɕʰí.rāː.lōŋ.kɔ̄ːn]; born 28 July 1952) is King of Thailand. He is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. In 1972, at the age of 20, he was made crown prince by his father. After his father's death on 13 October 2016, he was expected to ascend to the throne of Thailand but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne.[4] He accepted the throne on the night of 1 December 2016. His coronation took place from 4–6 May 2019.[5] The Thai government retroactively declared his reign to have begun on 13 October 2016, upon his father's death.[6] As the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty, he is also styled as Rama X. Aged 64 at that time, Vajiralongkorn became the oldest Thai monarch to ascend to the throne.[7]

Vajiralongkorn
วชิราลงกรณ
King Rama X
Official portrait, 2017
King of Thailand
Reign13 October 2016 – present[a]
Coronation4 May 2019
PredecessorBhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Heir presumptiveDipangkorn Rasmijoti[3]
Prime MinisterPrayut Chan-o-cha
Born (1952-07-28) 28 July 1952 (age 70)
Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace, Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand
Spouse
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(m. 1977; div. 1991)​

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(m. 1994; div. 1996)​

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(m. 2001; div. 2014)​

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(m. 2019)​

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(m. 2019; sep. 2019)​

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(m. 2020)​
IssueBajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra
Juthavachara Vivacharawongse
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse
Chakriwat Vivacharawongse
Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse
Princess Sirivannavari
Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti
DynastyChakri
FatherBhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
MotherSirikit Kitiyakara
ReligionTheravada
Signature

He is the wealthiest monarch in the world,[8] with a net worth estimated to be between US$30 billion[9] and US$70 billion.[10]

Early life and education

 
The Royal Family, 1966. Vajiralongkorn stands at far right.

Vajiralongkorn was born on 28 July 1952 at 17:45[11] in the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall of the Dusit Palace in Bangkok. When the crown prince was one year old, Somdet Phra Sangkharat Chao Kromma Luang Vajirananavongs, the 13th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand of the Rattanakosin Era, gave the child his first name at birth, Vajiralongkorn Boromchakrayadisorn Santatiwong Thewetthamrongsuboribal Abhikkunupakornmahitaladulyadej Bhumibolnaretwarangkun Kittisirisombunsawangwat Boromkhattiyarajakumarn.[12]

Vajiralongkorn began his education in 1956 when he entered kindergarten at the Chitralada School in Dusit Palace. After completing Mathayom 1 (grade seven), he was sent to be educated at private schools in the United Kingdom, first at a prep school, King's Mead, Seaford, Sussex, and then at Millfield School, in Somerset,[13] where he completed his secondary education in July 1970.[14] In August 1970, he attended a five-week military training course at The King's School, in Sydney, Australia.[14]

In 1972, the prince enrolled at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra, Australia. His education at Duntroon was divided into two parts, military training by the Australian Army and a bachelor's degree course under the auspices of the University of New South Wales. He graduated in 1976 as a new lieutenant with a liberal arts degree.[14]

In 1982, he completed a second bachelor's degree in law, with second-class honors at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

Heir apparent and social interest

 
Prince Vajiralongkorn and King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1961

Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed crown prince on 28 December 1972 at 12:23 in the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, making him the third crown prince of the Chakri dynasty.[12] An excerpt from the royal command to establish the title of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn reads:[15]

As stated in the bliss or the country's royal statutes, when a Royal Prince who is destined to be heir to the throne is mature, the King shall graciously bestow the rank upon him of Somdet Phra Yupharat Mongkutratchakuman. At this present time, all people, including citizens of nations worldwide, shall accept and acclaim that His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn shall to succeed to the throne of the Kingdom. When His Royal Highness Prince is mature, at the time that he shall be established as heir to the throne, tradition and a royal tradition Kattii ceremony should be observed, consistent with the citizens and all leaders of the country of all sides. Therefore, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej hereby decrees for His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn to be His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn per the name written in the Supannabhat as Somdet Phra Boromma-orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun Sirikittayasombunsawangwat Worakhuttiyarajsantiwong Mahitalaphong Adulayadet Chakkrinaresyuppharajvisut Sayammakutratchakuman....

He had taken up his duties while serving in the Royal Thai Armed Forces, including frequent provincial tours and representing King Bhumibol at a wide variety of official functions and ceremonies before he ascended the throne.[citation needed]

Short-term monastic life

On 6 November 1978, the prince was ordained as a monk at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), at age 26. As is traditional for royals, he stayed at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara for 15 days and under the monastic name "Vajiralongkornno".[16]

Military training and career

 
Vajiralongkorn of Thailand climbs out of the cockpit of an F-5E Tiger II aircraft
 
US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz (right) escorts Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn through an honor cordon and into the Pentagon on 12 June 2003.

After completing his studies, Vajiralongkorn served as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army. He served as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence and attended the Command and General Staff College in 1977.[citation needed] Vajiralongkorn trained for periods with the US, British, and Australian armed services, studying unconventional warfare and advanced navigation.[citation needed] He is a qualified fixed-wing and helicopter pilot. In 1978 he became head of the King's Own Bodyguard Battalion.[citation needed]

He is a military pilot qualified to fly the Northrop F-5,[17] F-16, and the Boeing 737-400.[14] His military role in recent years has become increasingly ceremonial. As his father grew older, Vajiralongkorn took a more prominent part in royal ceremonial and public appearances. He officially opened the 2007 Southeast Asian Games, held in Nakhon Ratchasima.[18] The event occurred one day after the 80th birthday of his father.[19]

Medical and health care

Vajiralongkorn established "Crown Prince Hospitals" through funds donated by the public to serve as medical and health care centers for people living in remote areas. Crown Prince Hospitals had been set up in 21 locations in 1977. These hospitals had become major community hospitals providing services of international standards to the general public in 2011.[20]

Agricultural development

 
Vajiralongkorn (right) with his mother, Queen Sirikit

Also interested in agricultural development, Vajiralongkorn has accepted the "Mobile Agricultural Clinic Project" under his patronage. The project provides prompt services to farmers to enhance efficiency in farm production and solve farmers' problems. It provides experts in various agricultural fields who can advise farmers on plants, livestock, fisheries, and land development. He also offers suggestions on tackling agricultural problems and applying agricultural technology to increase productivity and improvement in the quality of agricultural production.[20]

Mobile Agricultural Clinic teams can move quickly to various spots in need of help. It has worked steadily and is ready to provide technical services and transfer technology. With this project, farmers have been urged to be aware of agricultural development and new technology.[20]

In the later years of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign, Vajiralongkorn represented the King in presiding over the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, which is meaningful to Thai farmers as an early practice of phytopathology in the country. Aware of the importance of efficient agriculture for better productivity, Vajiralongkorn emphasized full-cycle agricultural activities, believing they will help improve farmers' quality of life, who are traditionally considered the backbone of the nation.[20] Since becoming King himself Vajiralongkorn has presided over and participated in the ceremony in his own right.[21][22]

In honour of his coronation the Rice Department released five new rice varieties/cultivars[23] and the king has continued patronage of the royal rice varieties competition, the tradition of his ancestor Chulalongkorn.[24][25]

Focus on education

Vajiralongkorn has initiated education projects to improve children's access to quality learning and instill the concept of lifelong learning.[26] He has special ties to the Rajabhat University system of 40 institutions of higher learning. The chairman of the Council of Rajabhat University Presidents of Thailand said that Vajiralongkorn has presided over commencement ceremonies at all Rajabhat Universities nationwide and personally handed out degrees to all Rajabhat university graduates every year since 1978. It is estimated that over the past 35 years, at least 2,100,000 degrees have been handed out by the crown prince to Rajabhat graduates. Besides, every year, he donates 42 million baht to a scholarship fund benefiting Rajabhat students.[26]

Sport interest

Vajiralongkorn was once known as the "Football Prince" but is known for his cycling involvement. He has also shown keen interest in other sports since he was young. He learned horseback riding when he was about 11 years old and soon became a capable rider. While studying in Thailand and abroad, he played several sports with friends, including football, rugby, and rowing.[27]

Vajiralongkorn also competed in sailing with King Bhumibol and sister Princess Ubolratana when they stayed at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin. In football, Vajiralongkorn first played as a forward and later became a center-back at Chitralada School, Millfield School in England, and the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Australia. He shares his love of the sport with his father.[27]

Residence

Most of the time, Vajiralongkorn lives in Bavaria in Germany,[28] where he has spent a significant amount of his adulthood. His 15-year-old son, Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, goes to school in the area.[28] The King requested and received changes to the constitution to end the requirement that he appoint a regent when he is away from Thailand. In comparison, his father often made state visits early during his reign, but he left the country only once after the 1960s—an overnight stay in neighboring Laos.[29] He has also received visits from Thai officials and dignitaries in Germany.[28] According to the German foreign ministry, the Thai ambassador has been told multiple times that Germany opposes "having guests in our country who run their state affairs from here." Thai officials have told Germany that Prime Minister Prayut is responsible for government matters, while the King is in Germany for personal reasons.[28]

Reign

Accession to the throne

 
Portrait of King Vajiralongkorn, EmQuartier, 2017
See also: 1924 Palace Law of Succession

According to the 2007 Constitution, the cabinet instructed the president of the National Assembly to invite Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn to the throne. He became the first monarch to be born in Thailand since his great-uncle Prajadhipok died in 1935.[30] After his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on 13 October 2016, Vajiralongkorn was expected to succeed to the throne of Thailand but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne.[4] On the night of 1 December 2016, the fiftieth day after the death of Bhumibol, Regent Prem Tinsulanonda led the heads of the country's three branches of government to an audience with Vajiralongkorn to invite him to ascend to the throne as the tenth king of the Chakri dynasty.[31] Vajiralongkorn accepted the invitation, saying in a televised statement: "I would like to accept in order to fulfill his majesty's wishes and for the benefit of all Thais."[32][33] The government retroactively declared his reign to have begun upon his father's death, but it would not crown him formally until after the cremation of his father.[32] The remains were then cremated on 26 October 2017.[34][35][36] Currently, his main residence is Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, with the king having moved from Nonthaburi Palace in 2011.[37]

Coronation

 
King Vajiralongkorn at Dusit Palace in 2018

Vajiralongkorn's three-day coronation ceremonies took place from 4 to 6 May 2019.[38] The one billion baht (US$29.8 million) coronation was anticipated to attract 150,000 people to Sanam Luang, which it did.[5][39][40][41]

The appointment of members of the privy council

See also: Privy Council of Thailand

Following the resignation of the councillors to Bhumibol Adulyadej, Vajiralongkorn appointed 10 members of the Privy Council. The command was issued under Section 2 of the 2014 interim constitution, completed with Sections 12, 13 and 16 of the 2007 constitution on the king which were retained and remain in effect. The remaining seven members are Surayud Chulanont, Kasem Wattanachai, Palakorn Suwanrath, Atthaniti Disatha-amnarj, Supachai Poo-ngam, Chanchai Likhitjitta and Chalit Pukbhasuk, with three new members, Paiboon Koomchaya, Dapong Ratanasuwan, and Teerachai Nakwanich. Prem Tinsulanonda was re-appointed Privy Council president by royal command.[42] On 13 December 2016, the King appointed two new members, Wirach Chinvinitkul and Charunthada Karnasuta.[43] On 25 December 2016, the King appointed one more new member, Kampanart Rooddit.[44] On 19 January 2017, Privy Councillor Chanchai Likhitjitta died at the age of 71.[45] On 2 October 2018, Mr. Amphon Kittiamphon, General Chalermchai Sitthisart and ACM Chom Rungsawang were appointed privy councilors.[citation needed]

Direct political interference

 
The coronation of King Rama X B.E. 2562 (A.D. 2019)

Thailand's military-appointed parliament voted overwhelmingly in January 2017 to make amendments to the interim constitution, so as to allow amendments to the draft constitution as suggested by the new king's office. Critics said the new constitution would give the military a powerful political say for years or decades.[35] The 2017 Constitution of Thailand was approved in a referendum in 2016, and was endorsed by Vajiralongkorn on 6 April 2017, Chakri day, in a ceremony at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.[46][35] Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that the office of King Vajiralongkorn had asked for several changes to clauses related to royal power in the draft constitution, a rare intervention by a reigning Thai monarch.[47] After the death of King Bhumibol, political activity was paused during a period of mourning that ended in 2017.[35]

In February 2019, in an unprecedented move, the King's elder sister, Ubol Ratana, announced her candidacy for the Thai prime ministership in the 2019 general election, running as a candidate of the Thaksin-allied Thai Raksa Chart Party.[48][49] Later that same day, Vajiralongkorn issued a strongly worded statement, stating that her candidacy for prime minister is "inappropriate...and unconstitutional".[50] The Election Commission of Thailand then disqualified her from running for prime minister, formally putting an end to her candidacy.[51] The Thai Raksa Chart Party was banned on 7 March 2019 by the Constitutional Court of Thailand for bringing a member of the royal family into politics and its political leaders were banned from politics for a decade.[52]

Vajiralongkorn has direct control over the royal household and palace security agencies.[53]

Controversies

Vajiralongkorn's reign has been plagued by controversies unheard of during the reign of his predecessor. His image is affected by his reputation as a philanderer.[54] In 2020, widespread unprecedented protests against his reign were popping up all over Thailand.[55]

Reigning from Bavaria

See also: 2020–2022 Thai protests
 
King Vajiralongkorn reigning from the German state of Bavaria triggered anti-monarchy sentiments and became one of the issues that led to nationwide protests.

For most of 2020, Vajiralongkorn reportedly rented out the alpine Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for himself and his entourage during the COVID-19 pandemic.[56] He remained there during the nationwide protests and amidst a wave of anti-monarchy sentiments in Thailand,[57] sparking controversy in both Thailand and Germany.[58] German foreign minister Heiko Maas has warned the King not to govern from German soil.[59] He also mentioned that the European state will be investigating his behavior during his stay in Germany.[60]

On 26 October 2020, protesters marched to the German Embassy in Bangkok, petitioning the German government to investigate the King's activities in Germany for the possibility that he had been exercising powers from German soil.[29][61][62]

Personal life

Monarchs of
the Chakri dynasty
 Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
(Rama I)
 Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai
(King Rama II)
 Nangklao
(King Rama III)
 Mongkut
(King Rama IV)
 Chulalongkorn
(King Rama V)
 Vajiravudh
(King Rama VI)
 Prajadhipok
(King Rama VII)
 Ananda Mahidol
(King Rama VIII)
 Bhumibol Adulyadej
(King Rama IX)
 Vajiralongkorn
(King Rama X)

Public image, the media, and the law

 
King Vajiralongkorn's portrait on Ratchadamnoen Avenue

Vajiralongkorn is protected by one of the most strictly enforced lèse majesté laws in the world. For many years, criticism of the king, queen, crown prince, and more recently, former kings, members of the royal family, and even their pets[63] have been strictly prohibited. Violations carry large fines and prison sentences of up to 35 years. However, Vajiralongkorn's private life continues to be a controversial subject of discussion in Thailand, although not publicly. In the 10 January 2002 edition of the Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER), an article appeared suggesting that Vajiralongkorn had business ties with then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. An immediate ban was placed on distribution of the magazine, and the Thai government, citing a threat to national security, suspended the visas of FEER's two Thailand correspondents, Shawn Crispin and Rodney Tasker.[64]

In 2002, The Economist wrote that "Vajiralongkorn is held in much less esteem (than the then-king Bhumibol). Bangkok gossips like to swap tales of his lurid personal life… Besides, no successor, however worthy, can hope to equal the stature King Bhumibol has attained after 64 years on the throne." This issue of The Economist was banned in Thailand. In 2010, another issue of The Economist, also not distributed in Thailand, said that Vajiralongkorn was "widely loathed and feared" and "unpredictable to the point of eccentricity",[65] while the online journal Asia Sentinel said that he was "regarded as erratic and virtually incapable of ruling";[66] the journal was blocked shortly thereafter.[67] In a diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks, senior Singaporean foreign ministry official Bilahari Kausikan said that Vajiralongkorn had a gambling habit partly funded by exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.[68]

On 12 November 2009, a home video was released to WikiLeaks, showing Vajiralongkorn casually dressed and Princess Srirasmi Suwadee wearing only a G-string, all the while being attended to by several formally dressed servants, celebrating the birthday of the prince's poodle, Air Chief Marshal Fufu.[69][70][71] Part of this video was broadcast on the programme Foreign Correspondent, on the Australian ABC channel on 13 April 2010, as part of a half-hour documentary critical of the royal family of Thailand.[72]

On 19 January 2009, Harry Nicolaides, an Australian national, was sentenced to three years in prison for self-publishing a fictional book deemed to have violated lèse majesté. The offending passage alluded to rumours that "if the prince fell in love with one of his minor wives and she betrayed him, she and her family would disappear with their name, familial lineage and all vestiges of their existence expunged forever".[73][74] Nicolaides was later pardoned by the king.[75] Nicolaides later stated that "it's entirely fiction from cover to cover".[76]

In August 2011, the German judicial authorities in Munich impounded a Boeing 737 aircraft, one of two belonging to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.[77] Administrators seized the aircraft because of a 20-year-old Thai government debt owed to a now-defunct German construction corporation for the Don Mueang Tollway, that had risen to some €30 million. German authorities, representing the corporation's interests in bankruptcy, stated the measure was a "last resort" in seeking repayment. The Thai government, which had not responded to German demands, called the move "highly inappropriate".[78][79] On 1 August, Vajiralongkorn's office announced he would pay the deposit amounting to €20 million himself.[80] One day later the Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya confirmed that the Thai government would pay the deposit.[81]

In November 2016, Manager Magazin published a report stating that the new king could be issued with an inheritance tax bill in excess of €3.5 billion. According to the report, the new King is domiciled in Bavaria where he owns two villas which makes him subject to local inheritance tax.[82] On 16 May 2017, Thai officials warned Facebook after an online video was posted of the king wearing a crop top and with full view of his half sleeve tattoo.[83]

Marriages and issue

Soamsawali Kitiyakara

On 3 January 1977, Vajiralongkorn married Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara (born 1957), a first cousin on his mother's side. They had one daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, born in December 1978. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn started living with actress Yuvadhida Polpraserth in the late 1970s and had five children with her. Although Princess Soamsawali had refused divorce for many years, Vajiralongkorn was finally able to sue for divorce in the Family Court in January 1993. In the court proceedings, Vajiralongkorn accused Princess Soamsawali of being completely at fault for the failed relationship. She was not able to refute the charges due to the prohibition against lèse majesté. The divorce was finalized in July 1993.[84] Despite the divorce, the king and Princess Soamsawali remain on cordial terms. Soamsawali and her daughter continue to play a significant role in royal ceremonies.[citation needed]

Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (Yuvadhida Polpraserth)

When Vajiralongkorn was introduced to Yuvadhida Polpraserth, she was an aspiring actress. She became his steady companion and gave birth to his first son, Prince Juthavachara Mahidol, on 29 August 1979. He later had three more sons and a daughter by her. They were married at a palace ceremony in February 1994, where they were blessed by the King and the Princess Mother, but not by the Queen. After the marriage, she was allowed to change her name to Mom Sujarinee Mahidol na Ayudhaya, signifying she was a commoner married to royalty. She was also commissioned as a major in the Royal Thai Army and took part in royal ceremonies with Vajiralongkorn. In 1996, two years after the wedding, Mom Sujarinee (as she was now known) decamped to Britain with all her children, while Vajiralongkorn caused posters to be placed all around his palace accusing her of committing adultery with Anand Rotsamkhan, a 60-year-old air marshal.[85] Later, the prince abducted the daughter and brought her back to Thailand to live with him. She was later elevated to the rank of princess, whilst Sujarinee and her sons were stripped of their diplomatic passports and royal titles. Sujarinee and her sons moved to the United States, and as of 2007, she was known as Sujarinee Vivacharawongse.[86]

Srirasmi Suwadee

Vajiralongkorn married for a third time on 10 February 2001, to Srirasmi Suwadee (royal name: Akharaphongpreecha), a commoner of modest background who had been in his service since 1992. The marriage was not disclosed to the public until early 2005. She gave birth to a son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, on 29 April 2005 and was then elevated to the rank of princess. Her son was immediately elevated to the rank of prince. In a magazine interview shortly after that, Vajiralongkorn stated his intention to settle down.[87]

In November 2014, however, Vajiralongkorn sent a letter to the interior ministry asking for Princess Srirasmi's family to be stripped of the royal name Akharaphongpreecha awarded to her, following allegations of corruption against seven of her relatives.[88] The following month, Srirasmi relinquished her royal titles and the royal name and was officially divorced from Vajiralongkorn. She received 200 million baht (US$5.5 million) as a settlement. They had been married for 13 years.[citation needed]

Suthida Tidjai

On 1 May 2019, three days before his coronation, Vajiralongkorn married Suthida Tidjai, former acting commander of Royal Thai Aide-de-Camp Department.[89] Suthida was therefore made the queen consort of King Vajiralongkorn[89][90] whose coronation took place in Bangkok on 4–6 May 2019.[91] The marriage registration took place at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall in Bangkok, with his sister Princess Sirindhorn and President of Privy Council Prem Tinsulanonda as witnesses.[92]

Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi

On 28 July 2019, Vajiralongkorn bestowed the title of "Chao Khun Phra" or Royal Noble Consort, and the royal name of Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, to Major General Niramon Ounprom; the occasion marked the first official naming of a secondary consort for nearly a century.[93] Three months later, on 21 October 2019, a palace order stripped Sineenat of her title and ranks, stating that she had been disrespectful to Queen Suthida and disloyal to the king.[94] On 2 September 2020, Sineenat's titles were restored with a declaration that she "is not tarnished" and "Henceforth, it will be as if she had never been stripped of her military ranks or royal decorations".[95]

Children

Children of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajira Klao Chao Yu Hua[86]
Name Relation Birth Notes
By Soamsawali Kitiyakara (married 1977, divorced 1991)
Bajrakitiyabha Daughter (1978-12-07) 7 December 1978 (age 44)
By Yuvadhida Polpraserth (married 1994, divorced 1996)
Juthavachara Vivacharawongse Son (1979-08-29) 29 August 1979 (age 43) born as Juthavachara Mahidol
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse Son (1981-05-27) 27 May 1981 (age 41) born as Vacharaesorn Mahidol
Chakriwat Vivacharawongse Son (1983-02-26) 26 February 1983 (age 40) born as Chakriwat Mahidol
Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse Son (1985-06-14) 14 June 1985 (age 37) born as Vatchrawee Mahidol
Sirivannavari Nariratana Daughter (1987-01-08) 8 January 1987 (age 36) born as Busyanambejra Mahidol
By Srirasmi Suwadee (married 2001, divorced 2014)
Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Son (2005-04-29) 29 April 2005 (age 18)

Honours

Styles of
King Rama X
 
Reference styleHis Majesty
Spoken styleYour Majesty
 
 
Vajiralongkorn's monograms as heir to the throne (left) and as king (right)

Military rank

  • General, Admiral and Air Chief Marshal[96]

Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank

Foreign decorations

See also: List of honours of the Thai royal family by country

Ancestry

Notes

  1. ^ After a mourning period, on 1 December 2016, Vajiralongkorn accepted the formal invitation to become king. He was king retroactively to the day of his predecessor and father's death on 13 October 2016. Prem Tinsulanonda had acted as regent from that date.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ "Vajiralongkorn ascends the throne as King Rama X". Khaosod English. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  2. ^ Paddock, Richard (1 December 2016). "New King for Thailand as Crown Prince, Vajiralongkorn, Ascends to Throne". The New York Times. from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  3. ^ Turner, Paige (25 November 2019). "5 things to know about Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn". South China Morning Post.
  4. ^ a b . Coconut.co. Bangkok: Coconuts BKK. Agence France-Presse. 13 October 2016. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be held May 4–6: palace". The Nation. Agence France-Presse. 1 January 2019. from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  6. ^ Paddock, Richard C. (1 December 2016). "New King for Thailand as Crown Prince, Vajiralongkorn, Ascends to Throne". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Maha Vajiralongkorn – King of Thailand". from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  8. ^ Baker, Chris; Phongpaichit, Pasuk (7 April 2022). A History of Thailand. Cambridge University Press. p. 362. ISBN 978-1-009-03418-0.
  9. ^ Hoffower, Hillary (17 July 2019). "Meet the 10 richest billionaire royals in the world right now". Business Insider. from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Thailand protests: How much is the king worth? | Counting the Cost". Al Jazeera English. 30 January 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021.
  11. ^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง ให้หยุดราชการและชักธงชาติเนื่องในการที่พระราชกุมารประสูติ 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, เล่ม 69, ตอนที่ 49, 12 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2495, หน้า 2434
  12. ^ a b "Long Live the King: Childhood". Bangkok Post. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Old Millfieldian Society – Overseas Branch Officials". Omsociety.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d "Long Live the King: Military Education". Bangkok Post. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  15. ^ "Set to fulfil his destiny". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  16. ^ "Long Live the King: the Upholder of Religions". Bangkok Post. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
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Further reading

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vajiralongkorn.
 
Wikiquote has quotations related to Vajiralongkorn.
  • Hannah Beech (7 November 2019). "'Extremely Evil Misconduct': Thailand's Palace Intrigue Spills into View". The New York Times.
  • Elizabeth Yuko (29 August 2019). "Pictures of the Thai King's Consort Broke the Internet – But What's a Consort?". Rolling Stone.
  • Head, Jonathan (16 October 2016). "Thai king's death: Who holds power now?". BBC. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  • Handley, Paul M. (2006). The King Never Smiles. Yale University Press. ASIN B0015GUOPY.
Vajiralongkorn
House of Mahidol
Cadet branch of the House of Chakri
Born: 28 July 1952
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Thailand
2016–present 		Incumbent
Heir presumptive:
Dipangkorn Rasmijoti
Thai royalty
Vacant
Title last held by
Vajiravudh 		Crown Prince of Thailand
1972–2016 		Vacant
Order of precedence
First Thai order of precedence
The Sovereign
1st position 		Succeeded by

May 06, 2023
vajiralongkorn, rama, redirects, here, indian, ruler, kingdom, cochin, rama, varma, thai, วช, ราลงกรณ, rtgs, wachiralongkon, pronounced, tɕʰí, rāː, lōŋ, born, july, 1952, king, thailand, only, king, bhumibol, adulyadej, queen, sirikit, 1972, made, crown, princ. Rama X redirects here For the Indian ruler of the Kingdom of Cochin see Rama Varma X Vajiralongkorn Thai wchiralngkrn RTGS Wachiralongkon pronounced wa tɕʰi raː lōŋ kɔ ːn born 28 July 1952 is King of Thailand He is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit In 1972 at the age of 20 he was made crown prince by his father After his father s death on 13 October 2016 he was expected to ascend to the throne of Thailand but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne 4 He accepted the throne on the night of 1 December 2016 His coronation took place from 4 6 May 2019 5 The Thai government retroactively declared his reign to have begun on 13 October 2016 upon his father s death 6 As the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty he is also styled as Rama X Aged 64 at that time Vajiralongkorn became the oldest Thai monarch to ascend to the throne 7 VajiralongkornwchiralngkrnKing Rama XOfficial portrait 2017King of ThailandReign13 October 2016 present a Coronation4 May 2019PredecessorBhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX Heir presumptiveDipangkorn Rasmijoti 3 Prime MinisterPrayut Chan o chaBorn 1952 07 28 28 July 1952 age 70 Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall Dusit Palace Dusit Bangkok ThailandSpouseSoamsawali Kitiyakara m 1977 div 1991 wbr Yuvadhida Polpraserth m 1994 div 1996 wbr Srirasmi Suwadee m 2001 div 2014 wbr Suthida Tidjai m 2019 wbr Niramon Ounprom m 2019 sep 2019 wbr m 2020 wbr IssueBajrakitiyabha Princess Rajasarini SiribajraJuthavachara VivacharawongseVacharaesorn VivacharawongseChakriwat VivacharawongseVatchrawee VivacharawongsePrincess SirivannavariPrince Dipangkorn RasmijotiDynastyChakriFatherBhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX MotherSirikit KitiyakaraReligionTheravadaSignatureHe is the wealthiest monarch in the world 8 with a net worth estimated to be between US 30 billion 9 and US 70 billion 10 Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Heir apparent and social interest 2 1 Short term monastic life 2 2 Military training and career 2 3 Medical and health care 2 4 Agricultural development 2 5 Focus on education 2 6 Sport interest 2 7 Residence 3 Reign 3 1 Accession to the throne 3 2 Coronation 3 3 The appointment of members of the privy council 3 4 Direct political interference 3 5 Controversies 3 6 Reigning from Bavaria 4 Personal life 4 1 Public image the media and the law 4 2 Marriages and issue 4 2 1 Soamsawali Kitiyakara 4 2 2 Sujarinee Vivacharawongse Yuvadhida Polpraserth 4 2 3 Srirasmi Suwadee 4 2 4 Suthida Tidjai 4 2 5 Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi 4 2 6 Children 5 Honours 5 1 Military rank 5 2 Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank 5 3 Foreign decorations 6 Ancestry 7 Notes 8 References 9 Further readingEarly life and education The Royal Family 1966 Vajiralongkorn stands at far right Vajiralongkorn was born on 28 July 1952 at 17 45 11 in the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall of the Dusit Palace in Bangkok When the crown prince was one year old Somdet Phra Sangkharat Chao Kromma Luang Vajirananavongs the 13th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand of the Rattanakosin Era gave the child his first name at birth Vajiralongkorn Boromchakrayadisorn Santatiwong Thewetthamrongsuboribal Abhikkunupakornmahitaladulyadej Bhumibolnaretwarangkun Kittisirisombunsawangwat Boromkhattiyarajakumarn 12 Vajiralongkorn began his education in 1956 when he entered kindergarten at the Chitralada School in Dusit Palace After completing Mathayom 1 grade seven he was sent to be educated at private schools in the United Kingdom first at a prep school King s Mead Seaford Sussex and then at Millfield School in Somerset 13 where he completed his secondary education in July 1970 14 In August 1970 he attended a five week military training course at The King s School in Sydney Australia 14 In 1972 the prince enrolled at the Royal Military College Duntroon in Canberra Australia His education at Duntroon was divided into two parts military training by the Australian Army and a bachelor s degree course under the auspices of the University of New South Wales He graduated in 1976 as a new lieutenant with a liberal arts degree 14 In 1982 he completed a second bachelor s degree in law with second class honors at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Heir apparent and social interest Prince Vajiralongkorn and King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1961 Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed crown prince on 28 December 1972 at 12 23 in the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall making him the third crown prince of the Chakri dynasty 12 An excerpt from the royal command to establish the title of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn reads 15 As stated in the bliss or the country s royal statutes when a Royal Prince who is destined to be heir to the throne is mature the King shall graciously bestow the rank upon him of Somdet Phra Yupharat Mongkutratchakuman At this present time all people including citizens of nations worldwide shall accept and acclaim that His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn shall to succeed to the throne of the Kingdom When His Royal Highness Prince is mature at the time that he shall be established as heir to the throne tradition and a royal tradition Kattii ceremony should be observed consistent with the citizens and all leaders of the country of all sides Therefore His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej hereby decrees for His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn to be His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn per the name written in the Supannabhat as Somdet Phra Boromma orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun Sirikittayasombunsawangwat Worakhuttiyarajsantiwong Mahitalaphong Adulayadet Chakkrinaresyuppharajvisut Sayammakutratchakuman He had taken up his duties while serving in the Royal Thai Armed Forces including frequent provincial tours and representing King Bhumibol at a wide variety of official functions and ceremonies before he ascended the throne citation needed Short term monastic life On 6 November 1978 the prince was ordained as a monk at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram Temple of the Emerald Buddha at age 26 As is traditional for royals he stayed at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara for 15 days and under the monastic name Vajiralongkornno 16 Military training and career Vajiralongkorn of Thailand climbs out of the cockpit of an F 5E Tiger II aircraft US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz right escorts Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn through an honor cordon and into the Pentagon on 12 June 2003 After completing his studies Vajiralongkorn served as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army He served as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence and attended the Command and General Staff College in 1977 citation needed Vajiralongkorn trained for periods with the US British and Australian armed services studying unconventional warfare and advanced navigation citation needed He is a qualified fixed wing and helicopter pilot In 1978 he became head of the King s Own Bodyguard Battalion citation needed He is a military pilot qualified to fly the Northrop F 5 17 F 16 and the Boeing 737 400 14 His military role in recent years has become increasingly ceremonial As his father grew older Vajiralongkorn took a more prominent part in royal ceremonial and public appearances He officially opened the 2007 Southeast Asian Games held in Nakhon Ratchasima 18 The event occurred one day after the 80th birthday of his father 19 Medical and health care Vajiralongkorn established Crown Prince Hospitals through funds donated by the public to serve as medical and health care centers for people living in remote areas Crown Prince Hospitals had been set up in 21 locations in 1977 These hospitals had become major community hospitals providing services of international standards to the general public in 2011 20 Agricultural development Vajiralongkorn right with his mother Queen Sirikit Also interested in agricultural development Vajiralongkorn has accepted the Mobile Agricultural Clinic Project under his patronage The project provides prompt services to farmers to enhance efficiency in farm production and solve farmers problems It provides experts in various agricultural fields who can advise farmers on plants livestock fisheries and land development He also offers suggestions on tackling agricultural problems and applying agricultural technology to increase productivity and improvement in the quality of agricultural production 20 Mobile Agricultural Clinic teams can move quickly to various spots in need of help It has worked steadily and is ready to provide technical services and transfer technology With this project farmers have been urged to be aware of agricultural development and new technology 20 In the later years of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej s reign Vajiralongkorn represented the King in presiding over the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony which is meaningful to Thai farmers as an early practice of phytopathology in the country Aware of the importance of efficient agriculture for better productivity Vajiralongkorn emphasized full cycle agricultural activities believing they will help improve farmers quality of life who are traditionally considered the backbone of the nation 20 Since becoming King himself Vajiralongkorn has presided over and participated in the ceremony in his own right 21 22 In honour of his coronation the Rice Department released five new rice varieties cultivars 23 and the king has continued patronage of the royal rice varieties competition the tradition of his ancestor Chulalongkorn 24 25 Focus on education Vajiralongkorn has initiated education projects to improve children s access to quality learning and instill the concept of lifelong learning 26 He has special ties to the Rajabhat University system of 40 institutions of higher learning The chairman of the Council of Rajabhat University Presidents of Thailand said that Vajiralongkorn has presided over commencement ceremonies at all Rajabhat Universities nationwide and personally handed out degrees to all Rajabhat university graduates every year since 1978 It is estimated that over the past 35 years at least 2 100 000 degrees have been handed out by the crown prince to Rajabhat graduates Besides every year he donates 42 million baht to a scholarship fund benefiting Rajabhat students 26 Sport interest Vajiralongkorn was once known as the Football Prince but is known for his cycling involvement He has also shown keen interest in other sports since he was young He learned horseback riding when he was about 11 years old and soon became a capable rider While studying in Thailand and abroad he played several sports with friends including football rugby and rowing 27 Vajiralongkorn also competed in sailing with King Bhumibol and sister Princess Ubolratana when they stayed at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin In football Vajiralongkorn first played as a forward and later became a center back at Chitralada School Millfield School in England and the Royal Military College Duntroon in Australia He shares his love of the sport with his father 27 Residence Most of the time Vajiralongkorn lives in Bavaria in Germany 28 where he has spent a significant amount of his adulthood His 15 year old son Dipangkorn Rasmijoti goes to school in the area 28 The King requested and received changes to the constitution to end the requirement that he appoint a regent when he is away from Thailand In comparison his father often made state visits early during his reign but he left the country only once after the 1960s an overnight stay in neighboring Laos 29 He has also received visits from Thai officials and dignitaries in Germany 28 According to the German foreign ministry the Thai ambassador has been told multiple times that Germany opposes having guests in our country who run their state affairs from here Thai officials have told Germany that Prime Minister Prayut is responsible for government matters while the King is in Germany for personal reasons 28 ReignAccession to the throne Portrait of King Vajiralongkorn EmQuartier 2017 See also 1924 Palace Law of Succession According to the 2007 Constitution the cabinet instructed the president of the National Assembly to invite Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn to the throne He became the first monarch to be born in Thailand since his great uncle Prajadhipok died in 1935 30 After his father Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October 2016 Vajiralongkorn was expected to succeed to the throne of Thailand but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne 4 On the night of 1 December 2016 the fiftieth day after the death of Bhumibol Regent Prem Tinsulanonda led the heads of the country s three branches of government to an audience with Vajiralongkorn to invite him to ascend to the throne as the tenth king of the Chakri dynasty 31 Vajiralongkorn accepted the invitation saying in a televised statement I would like to accept in order to fulfill his majesty s wishes and for the benefit of all Thais 32 33 The government retroactively declared his reign to have begun upon his father s death but it would not crown him formally until after the cremation of his father 32 The remains were then cremated on 26 October 2017 34 35 36 Currently his main residence is Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall with the king having moved from Nonthaburi Palace in 2011 37 Coronation King Vajiralongkorn at Dusit Palace in 2018 Vajiralongkorn s three day coronation ceremonies took place from 4 to 6 May 2019 38 The one billion baht US 29 8 million coronation was anticipated to attract 150 000 people to Sanam Luang which it did 5 39 40 41 The appointment of members of the privy council See also Privy Council of Thailand Following the resignation of the councillors to Bhumibol Adulyadej Vajiralongkorn appointed 10 members of the Privy Council The command was issued under Section 2 of the 2014 interim constitution completed with Sections 12 13 and 16 of the 2007 constitution on the king which were retained and remain in effect The remaining seven members are Surayud Chulanont Kasem Wattanachai Palakorn Suwanrath Atthaniti Disatha amnarj Supachai Poo ngam Chanchai Likhitjitta and Chalit Pukbhasuk with three new members Paiboon Koomchaya Dapong Ratanasuwan and Teerachai Nakwanich Prem Tinsulanonda was re appointed Privy Council president by royal command 42 On 13 December 2016 the King appointed two new members Wirach Chinvinitkul and Charunthada Karnasuta 43 On 25 December 2016 the King appointed one more new member Kampanart Rooddit 44 On 19 January 2017 Privy Councillor Chanchai Likhitjitta died at the age of 71 45 On 2 October 2018 Mr Amphon Kittiamphon General Chalermchai Sitthisart and ACM Chom Rungsawang were appointed privy councilors citation needed Direct political interference The coronation of King Rama X B E 2562 A D 2019 Thailand s military appointed parliament voted overwhelmingly in January 2017 to make amendments to the interim constitution so as to allow amendments to the draft constitution as suggested by the new king s office Critics said the new constitution would give the military a powerful political say for years or decades 35 The 2017 Constitution of Thailand was approved in a referendum in 2016 and was endorsed by Vajiralongkorn on 6 April 2017 Chakri day in a ceremony at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall 46 35 Prime Minister Prayut Chan o cha said that the office of King Vajiralongkorn had asked for several changes to clauses related to royal power in the draft constitution a rare intervention by a reigning Thai monarch 47 After the death of King Bhumibol political activity was paused during a period of mourning that ended in 2017 35 In February 2019 in an unprecedented move the King s elder sister Ubol Ratana announced her candidacy for the Thai prime ministership in the 2019 general election running as a candidate of the Thaksin allied Thai Raksa Chart Party 48 49 Later that same day Vajiralongkorn issued a strongly worded statement stating that her candidacy for prime minister is inappropriate and unconstitutional 50 The Election Commission of Thailand then disqualified her from running for prime minister formally putting an end to her candidacy 51 The Thai Raksa Chart Party was banned on 7 March 2019 by the Constitutional Court of Thailand for bringing a member of the royal family into politics and its political leaders were banned from politics for a decade 52 Vajiralongkorn has direct control over the royal household and palace security agencies 53 Controversies Vajiralongkorn s reign has been plagued by controversies unheard of during the reign of his predecessor His image is affected by his reputation as a philanderer 54 In 2020 widespread unprecedented protests against his reign were popping up all over Thailand 55 Reigning from Bavaria See also 2020 2022 Thai protests King Vajiralongkorn reigning from the German state of Bavaria triggered anti monarchy sentiments and became one of the issues that led to nationwide protests For most of 2020 Vajiralongkorn reportedly rented out the alpine Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl in Garmisch Partenkirchen for himself and his entourage during the COVID 19 pandemic 56 He remained there during the nationwide protests and amidst a wave of anti monarchy sentiments in Thailand 57 sparking controversy in both Thailand and Germany 58 German foreign minister Heiko Maas has warned the King not to govern from German soil 59 He also mentioned that the European state will be investigating his behavior during his stay in Germany 60 On 26 October 2020 protesters marched to the German Embassy in Bangkok petitioning the German government to investigate the King s activities in Germany for the possibility that he had been exercising powers from German soil 29 61 62 Personal lifeMonarchs of the Chakri dynasty Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke Rama I Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai King Rama II Nangklao King Rama III Mongkut King Rama IV Chulalongkorn King Rama V Vajiravudh King Rama VI Prajadhipok King Rama VII Ananda Mahidol King Rama VIII Bhumibol Adulyadej King Rama IX Vajiralongkorn King Rama X vtePublic image the media and the law King Vajiralongkorn s portrait on Ratchadamnoen Avenue Vajiralongkorn is protected by one of the most strictly enforced lese majeste laws in the world For many years criticism of the king queen crown prince and more recently former kings members of the royal family and even their pets 63 have been strictly prohibited Violations carry large fines and prison sentences of up to 35 years However Vajiralongkorn s private life continues to be a controversial subject of discussion in Thailand although not publicly In the 10 January 2002 edition of the Far Eastern Economic Review FEER an article appeared suggesting that Vajiralongkorn had business ties with then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra An immediate ban was placed on distribution of the magazine and the Thai government citing a threat to national security suspended the visas of FEER s two Thailand correspondents Shawn Crispin and Rodney Tasker 64 In 2002 The Economist wrote that Vajiralongkorn is held in much less esteem than the then king Bhumibol Bangkok gossips like to swap tales of his lurid personal life Besides no successor however worthy can hope to equal the stature King Bhumibol has attained after 64 years on the throne This issue of The Economist was banned in Thailand In 2010 another issue of The Economist also not distributed in Thailand said that Vajiralongkorn was widely loathed and feared and unpredictable to the point of eccentricity 65 while the online journal Asia Sentinel said that he was regarded as erratic and virtually incapable of ruling 66 the journal was blocked shortly thereafter 67 In a diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks senior Singaporean foreign ministry official Bilahari Kausikan said that Vajiralongkorn had a gambling habit partly funded by exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra 68 On 12 November 2009 a home video was released to WikiLeaks showing Vajiralongkorn casually dressed and Princess Srirasmi Suwadee wearing only a G string all the while being attended to by several formally dressed servants celebrating the birthday of the prince s poodle Air Chief Marshal Fufu 69 70 71 Part of this video was broadcast on the programme Foreign Correspondent on the Australian ABC channel on 13 April 2010 as part of a half hour documentary critical of the royal family of Thailand 72 On 19 January 2009 Harry Nicolaides an Australian national was sentenced to three years in prison for self publishing a fictional book deemed to have violated lese majeste The offending passage alluded to rumours that if the prince fell in love with one of his minor wives and she betrayed him she and her family would disappear with their name familial lineage and all vestiges of their existence expunged forever 73 74 Nicolaides was later pardoned by the king 75 Nicolaides later stated that it s entirely fiction from cover to cover 76 In August 2011 the German judicial authorities in Munich impounded a Boeing 737 aircraft one of two belonging to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn 77 Administrators seized the aircraft because of a 20 year old Thai government debt owed to a now defunct German construction corporation for the Don Mueang Tollway that had risen to some 30 million German authorities representing the corporation s interests in bankruptcy stated the measure was a last resort in seeking repayment The Thai government which had not responded to German demands called the move highly inappropriate 78 79 On 1 August Vajiralongkorn s office announced he would pay the deposit amounting to 20 million himself 80 One day later the Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya confirmed that the Thai government would pay the deposit 81 In November 2016 Manager Magazin published a report stating that the new king could be issued with an inheritance tax bill in excess of 3 5 billion According to the report the new King is domiciled in Bavaria where he owns two villas which makes him subject to local inheritance tax 82 On 16 May 2017 Thai officials warned Facebook after an online video was posted of the king wearing a crop top and with full view of his half sleeve tattoo 83 Marriages and issue Soamsawali Kitiyakara On 3 January 1977 Vajiralongkorn married Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara born 1957 a first cousin on his mother s side They had one daughter Princess Bajrakitiyabha born in December 1978 Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn started living with actress Yuvadhida Polpraserth in the late 1970s and had five children with her Although Princess Soamsawali had refused divorce for many years Vajiralongkorn was finally able to sue for divorce in the Family Court in January 1993 In the court proceedings Vajiralongkorn accused Princess Soamsawali of being completely at fault for the failed relationship She was not able to refute the charges due to the prohibition against lese majeste The divorce was finalized in July 1993 84 Despite the divorce the king and Princess Soamsawali remain on cordial terms Soamsawali and her daughter continue to play a significant role in royal ceremonies citation needed Sujarinee Vivacharawongse Yuvadhida Polpraserth When Vajiralongkorn was introduced to Yuvadhida Polpraserth she was an aspiring actress She became his steady companion and gave birth to his first son Prince Juthavachara Mahidol on 29 August 1979 He later had three more sons and a daughter by her They were married at a palace ceremony in February 1994 where they were blessed by the King and the Princess Mother but not by the Queen After the marriage she was allowed to change her name to Mom Sujarinee Mahidol na Ayudhaya signifying she was a commoner married to royalty She was also commissioned as a major in the Royal Thai Army and took part in royal ceremonies with Vajiralongkorn In 1996 two years after the wedding Mom Sujarinee as she was now known decamped to Britain with all her children while Vajiralongkorn caused posters to be placed all around his palace accusing her of committing adultery with Anand Rotsamkhan a 60 year old air marshal 85 Later the prince abducted the daughter and brought her back to Thailand to live with him She was later elevated to the rank of princess whilst Sujarinee and her sons were stripped of their diplomatic passports and royal titles Sujarinee and her sons moved to the United States and as of 2007 she was known as Sujarinee Vivacharawongse 86 Srirasmi Suwadee Vajiralongkorn married for a third time on 10 February 2001 to Srirasmi Suwadee royal name Akharaphongpreecha a commoner of modest background who had been in his service since 1992 The marriage was not disclosed to the public until early 2005 She gave birth to a son Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti on 29 April 2005 and was then elevated to the rank of princess Her son was immediately elevated to the rank of prince In a magazine interview shortly after that Vajiralongkorn stated his intention to settle down 87 In November 2014 however Vajiralongkorn sent a letter to the interior ministry asking for Princess Srirasmi s family to be stripped of the royal name Akharaphongpreecha awarded to her following allegations of corruption against seven of her relatives 88 The following month Srirasmi relinquished her royal titles and the royal name and was officially divorced from Vajiralongkorn She received 200 million baht US 5 5 million as a settlement They had been married for 13 years citation needed Suthida Tidjai On 1 May 2019 three days before his coronation Vajiralongkorn married Suthida Tidjai former acting commander of Royal Thai Aide de Camp Department 89 Suthida was therefore made the queen consort of King Vajiralongkorn 89 90 whose coronation took place in Bangkok on 4 6 May 2019 91 The marriage registration took place at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall in Bangkok with his sister Princess Sirindhorn and President of Privy Council Prem Tinsulanonda as witnesses 92 Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi On 28 July 2019 Vajiralongkorn bestowed the title of Chao Khun Phra or Royal Noble Consort and the royal name of Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi to Major General Niramon Ounprom the occasion marked the first official naming of a secondary consort for nearly a century 93 Three months later on 21 October 2019 a palace order stripped Sineenat of her title and ranks stating that she had been disrespectful to Queen Suthida and disloyal to the king 94 On 2 September 2020 Sineenat s titles were restored with a declaration that she is not tarnished and Henceforth it will be as if she had never been stripped of her military ranks or royal decorations 95 Children Children of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajira Klao Chao Yu Hua 86 Name Relation Birth NotesBy Soamsawali Kitiyakara married 1977 divorced 1991 Bajrakitiyabha Daughter 1978 12 07 7 December 1978 age 44 By Yuvadhida Polpraserth married 1994 divorced 1996 Juthavachara Vivacharawongse Son 1979 08 29 29 August 1979 age 43 born as Juthavachara MahidolVacharaesorn Vivacharawongse Son 1981 05 27 27 May 1981 age 41 born as Vacharaesorn MahidolChakriwat Vivacharawongse Son 1983 02 26 26 February 1983 age 40 born as Chakriwat MahidolVatchrawee Vivacharawongse Son 1985 06 14 14 June 1985 age 37 born as Vatchrawee MahidolSirivannavari Nariratana Daughter 1987 01 08 8 January 1987 age 36 born as Busyanambejra MahidolBy Srirasmi Suwadee married 2001 divorced 2014 Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Son 2005 04 29 29 April 2005 age 18 HonoursStyles of King Rama X Reference styleHis MajestySpoken styleYour Majesty Vajiralongkorn s monograms as heir to the throne left and as king right Military rank General Admiral and Air Chief Marshal 96 Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank Volunteer Defense Corps General 97 Foreign decorations See also List of honours of the Thai royal family by country Brunei Family Order of Laila Utama 1990 Denmark Knight of the Order of the Elephant 7 February 2001 98 Germany Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Japan Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum Malaysia Honorary Grand Commander of the Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm 2000 99 Terengganu Member 2nd Class of the Most Distinguished Family Order of Terengganu Netherlands Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown 2004 100 Recipient of the King Willem Alexander Inauguration Medal North Korea First Class of the Order of the National Flag 1992 101 Nepal Order of Ojaswi Rajanya Peru Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru 1993 102 Portugal Grand Cross of the Order of Aviz Spain Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III 13 November 1987 103 South Korea First Class of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit 1992 Sweden Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim 25 February 2003 United Kingdom Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order 1996 AncestryAncestors of Vajiralongkorn8 King Chulalongkorn Rama V of Siam4 Prince Mahidol Adulyadej Prince of Songkla9 Princess Savang Vadhana of Siam2 King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX of Thailand10 Chu Chukramol5 Sangwan Talapat11 Kham1 King Maha Vajiralongkorn Rama X of Thailand12 Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana Prince of Chanthaburi I6 Prince Nakkhatra Mangala Prince of Chanthaburi II13 Princess Apsarasaman Devakula3 Sirikit Kitiyakara14 Sathan Snidvongs Chaophraya Wongsanupraphat7 Bua Snidvongs15 Bang Bunyathon Thao Wanida PhichariniNotes After a mourning period on 1 December 2016 Vajiralongkorn accepted the formal invitation to become king He was king retroactively to the day of his predecessor and father s death on 13 October 2016 Prem Tinsulanonda had acted as regent from that date 1 2 References Vajiralongkorn ascends the throne as King Rama X Khaosod English 2 December 2016 Retrieved 2 December 2016 Paddock Richard 1 December 2016 New King for Thailand as Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn Ascends to Throne The New York Times Archived from the original on 3 December 2016 Retrieved 2 December 2016 Turner Paige 25 November 2019 5 things to know about Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn South China Morning Post a b Thai Prime Minister Prayuth says Crown Prince seeks delay in proclaiming him King Coconut co Bangkok Coconuts BKK Agence France Presse 13 October 2016 Archived from the original on 14 October 2016 Retrieved 14 October 2016 a b Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be held May 4 6 palace The Nation Agence France Presse 1 January 2019 Archived from the original on 1 January 2019 Retrieved 1 January 2019 Paddock Richard C 1 December 2016 New King for Thailand as Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn Ascends to Throne The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Archived from the original on 11 April 2017 Retrieved 22 October 2017 Maha Vajiralongkorn King of Thailand Archived from the original on 3 November 2016 Retrieved 1 November 2016 Baker Chris Phongpaichit Pasuk 7 April 2022 A History of Thailand Cambridge University Press p 362 ISBN 978 1 009 03418 0 Hoffower Hillary 17 July 2019 Meet the 10 richest billionaire royals in the world right now Business Insider Archived from the original on 26 September 2019 Retrieved 16 January 2020 Thailand protests How much is the king worth Counting the Cost Al Jazeera English 30 January 2021 Archived from the original on 30 October 2021 rachkiccanuebksa prakassanknaykrthmntri eruxng ihhyudrachkaraelachkthngchatienuxnginkarthiphrarachkumarprasuti Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine elm 69 txnthi 49 12 singhakhm ph s 2495 hna 2434 a b Long Live the King Childhood Bangkok Post 1 December 2016 Retrieved 3 December 2016 Old Millfieldian Society Overseas Branch Officials Omsociety com Retrieved 1 December 2016 a b c d Long Live the King Military Education Bangkok Post 1 December 2016 Retrieved 3 December 2016 Set to fulfil his destiny Bangkok Post Retrieved 30 November 2016 Long Live the King the Upholder of Religions Bangkok Post 1 December 2016 Retrieved 3 December 2016 Crown Prince is a qualified military pilot The Straits Times 30 November 2016 Archived from the original on 1 December 2016 Retrieved 3 December 2016 Southeast Asian Games Open in Thailand Voice of America Archived from the original on 2 December 2016 Retrieved 2 December 2016 Lines Chris Burma Wins Silver at Southeast Asian Games The Irrawaddy Associated Press Archived from the original on 2 December 2016 Retrieved 2 December 2016 a b c d BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCE MAHA VAJIRALONGKORN Royal Thai Embassy to Singapore Archived from the original on 20 December 2016 Retrieved 19 December 2016 The Star 9 May 2019 New Thai king and queen take part in Royal Ploughing ceremony YouTube Thailand king cancels ceremonies as COVID surges Nikkei Asia 4 May 2021 Retrieved 6 December 2021 Five rice varieties launched in honour of Royal Coronation The Nation 7 May 2019 Retrieved 21 August 2021 History krathrwngekstraelashkrn Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Retrieved 30 August 2021 Rice Breeding and R amp D Policies in Thailand Food and Fertilizer Technology Center Agricultural Policy Platform FFTC AP 26 April 2018 Retrieved 30 August 2021 a b Mala Dumrongkiat 1 December 2016 Crown Prince Education key to progress Bangkok Post Retrieved 1 December 2016 a b King continues his father s legacy via www bangkokpost com a b c d Saudelli Giulia 16 October 2020 Thailand s king should not reign from German soil Berlin says Deutsche Welle Retrieved 26 October 2020 a b Thai protesters shun Parliament ask Germany to probe king Channel NewsAsia 27 October 2020 Retrieved 27 October 2020 Kershaw Roger 2001 Monarchy in South East Asia The faces of tradition in transition 1st ed London Routledge pp 152 153 ISBN 0415243483 Crown Prince becomes King Bangkok Post Retrieved 1 December 2016 a b Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed king BBC News 1 December 2016 Archived from the original on 21 April 2018 Retrieved 8 May 2018 Crown prince Vajiralongkorn becomes Thailand s new king Al Jazeera Archived from the original on 2 December 2016 Retrieved 2 December 2016 Holmes Oliver 26 October 2017 Thailand grieves over former king at lavish cremation ceremony The Guardian Archived from the original on 24 December 2017 Retrieved 21 December 2017 a b c d Thai king s coronation likely by the end of 2017 deputy PM Reuters 21 April 2017 Archived from the original on 26 April 2017 Retrieved 13 June 2017 Shawn W Crispin How stable is post cremation Thailand Archived 11 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine Asia Times 6 December 2017 New Thai king receives Japanese emperor Nikkei Asian Review Archived from the original on 8 April 2017 Retrieved 9 April 2017 Making of a monarch King s image peppers Thailand ahead of coronation France 24 Agence France Presse 30 April 2019 Archived from the original on 30 April 2019 Retrieved 30 April 2019 More than 150 000 to attend ceremonies Bangkok Post 30 April 2019 Retrieved 30 April 2019 Sriring Orathai Kittisilpa Juarawee 28 April 2019 Thailand rehearses elaborate 31 million coronation for king Reuters Archived from the original on 28 April 2019 Retrieved 29 April 2019 Thai king celebrated in post coronation procession DW 05 05 2019 dw com Retrieved 10 January 2023 King appoints 10 members to his Privy Council Bangkok Post Retrieved 6 December 2016 King appoints two new privy councilors Thai PBS Archived from the original on 25 August 2017 Retrieved 19 December 2016 Former assistant army chief appointed Thailand s new privy councillor Xinhua News Agency Archived from the original on 26 December 2016 Retrieved 25 December 2016 Privy Councillor Chanchai Likhitjitta dies The Nation Archived from the original on 27 January 2017 Retrieved 19 January 2016 King signs to promulgate new Constitution Nation Multimedia Group 6 April 2017 Archived from the original on 6 April 2017 Retrieved 6 April 2017 Thai parliament approves king s constitutional changes request likely delaying elections Reuters 13 January 2017 Archived from the original on 14 January 2017 Retrieved 13 January 2017 Beech Hannah 8 February 2019 Thai King s Sister Is Picked to Run for Prime Minister Upending Politics The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Archived from the original on 13 February 2019 Retrieved 8 February 2019 failed verification Withnall Adam 8 February 2019 Thai princess joins election race to become prime minister in stunning move for apolitical royals The Independent Archived from the original on 14 February 2019 Retrieved 8 February 2019 Thai king says sister s candidacy for prime minister is inappropriate unconstitutional Palace statement Channel NewsAsia 8 February 2019 Archived from the original on 12 February 2019 Retrieved 9 February 2019 Jett Jennifer 11 February 2019 Thai King s Sister Is Formally Barred From Running for Prime Minister The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Archived from the original on 19 February 2019 Retrieved 12 February 2019 Constitutional Court disbands Thai Raksa Chart Bangkok Post 7 March 2019 Thai king takes control of five palace agencies businesstimes com sg Archived from the original on 6 May 2017 Retrieved 18 May 2017 Bernstein Richard 24 January 2020 Thailand s playboy king isn t playing around Vox Retrieved 15 October 2020 Rasheed Zaheena Why are Thai students protesting against King Vajiralongkorn Al Jazeera Retrieved 15 October 2020 Wiley Melissa 6 April 2020 Inside the luxury hotel where Thailand s playboy king is reportedly self isolating with 20 women during the coronavirus outbreak Business Insider Mahtani Shibani 16 October 2020 Thousands of anti monarchy protesters defy Thailand s new emergency decree The Washington Post Archived from the original on 19 October 2020 Retrieved 16 May 2021 Thai king s sojourn in Bavaria causes headache for Berlin Financial Times 11 October 2020 Retrieved 16 October 2020 Germany warns Thai King not to govern from its soil The Telegraph 9 October 2020 ISSN 0307 1235 Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 15 October 2020 Solomon Feliz Bender Ruth 26 October 2020 Thailand s King Becomes a Foreign Relations Challenge for Germany The Wall Street Journal Thai protesters march on German embassy to seek probe of king Al Jazeera Archived from the original on 26 October 2020 Retrieved 26 October 2020 Protesters march to German embassy Bangkok Post Retrieved 26 October 2020 Hale Erin 30 November 2016 4 Facebook Posts That Can Get You Arrested In Thailand section Make fun of the King s dog fined 500 000 baht with 86 days in prison Forbes Archived from the original on 8 November 2017 Retrieved 13 June 2017 Duncan McCargo Media and Politics in Pacific Asia p 146 As father fades his children fight The Economist 18 March 2010 Archived from the original on 28 May 2010 Retrieved 20 February 2020 More Lese majeste Charges in Thailand Archived 21 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine Asia Sentinel 1 April 2010 Thailand Grenade attacks and online censorship amid mounting political tension fromtheold com 30 March 2010 Archived from the original on 22 August 2010 Retrieved 16 May 2021 Dorling Philip McKenzie Nick 12 December 2010 Top Singapore officials trash the neighbours The Sydney Morning Herald Archived from the original on 28 May 2019 Retrieved 20 February 2020 Suppressed video of Thai Crown Prince and Princess at decadent dog party WikiLeaks Archived from the original on 19 May 2019 Retrieved 3 April 2020 Rayner Gordon 4 February 2011 WikiLeaks cables Thailand s royal pet The Daily Telegraph Archived from the original on 1 March 2014 Retrieved 7 January 2014 An experienced diplomat should be able to greet anyone from a king to a despot but nothing could prepare one US ambassador for the experience of meeting a military officer that happened to be a poodle WikiLeaks cables reveal scandal and disease in Thai royal family The Australian The Times 24 June 2011 Archived from the original on 1 July 2011 Retrieved 18 February 2012 Foreign Correspondent Abc 31 July 2012 Archived from the original on 26 May 2011 Retrieved 10 January 2017 Davies Julie Anne 5 September 2008 Thais detain Aussie writer The Australian Archived from the original on 16 September 2008 Retrieved 21 January 2009 Thai court jails Australian novelist for three years over royal insult Archived 25 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Scotsman 19 January 2009 Thailand frees Australian writer BBC News Archived from the original on 18 November 2016 Retrieved 29 November 2016 Australian Writer Who Insulted Thai Monarchy Shares Prison Cell With Child Molester Weapons Dealer Archived 27 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Huffington Post 22 February 2009 Thai Aircraft List29022555 xls Department of Civil Aviation Archived from the original on 28 January 2015 Retrieved 24 January 2015 Germany Impounds Thai Prince Vajiralongkorn s Jet BBC 13 July 2011 Archived from the original on 13 July 2011 Retrieved 14 July 2011 Plane stupid the damage is done The Nation 19 July 2011 Archived from the original on 22 July 2011 Retrieved 20 July 2011 The Royal Thai Air Force RTAF confirmed the Thai government s contention that the RTAF in 2007 presented the Boeing 737 jet to the Prince for his personal use Is the dispute with Walter Bau coming to an end Bangkok Pundit 2 August 2011 Archived from the original on 16 August 2011 Retrieved 2 August 2011 Government pays for Crown Prince s Boeing Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 2 August 2011 Archived from the original on 3 August 2011 Retrieved 2 August 2011 failed verification Bayern hofft auf Milliarden von Thailands Kronprinz Manager Magazin 17 November 2016 Archived from the original on 4 May 2017 Retrieved 18 May 2017 Ives Mike Mozur Paul 16 May 2017 Thailand Warns Facebook After Video Seems to Show King in Crop Top The New York Times Archived from the original on 17 May 2017 Retrieved 18 May 2017 Nonthaburi Family Court Documents of Case 79 2536 14 January 2007 Campbell Christy 20 October 1996 Adultery princess casts shadow on untouchables The Telegraph Archived from the original on 22 November 2003 a b Thailand s new king in profile BBC Archived from the original on 3 December 2016 Retrieved 1 December 2016 Simplicity warmth win hearts The Nation Archived 11 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Thailand crown prince strips wife s family of royal name BBC News 29 November 2014 Archived from the original on 1 December 2014 Retrieved 2 December 2014 It comes after seven of her close relatives were arrested in a purge of officials allegedly involved in corruption a b prakas eruxng sthapnasmedcphrarachini PDF Ratchakitcha Royal Thai Government Archived from the original PDF on 1 May 2019 Retrieved 1 May 2019 phrarachprawti smedcphrarachinisuthida BBC 1 May 2019 Archived from the original on 23 October 2019 Retrieved 1 May 2019 A new Queen emerges in pre coronation Thailand Asia Times May 2019 Archived from the original on 1 May 2019 Retrieved 1 May 2019 New queen named Bangkok Post 1 May 2019 Retrieved 1 May 2019 Thaitrakulpanich Asaree 30 July 2019 Rama X Names First Royal Consort in Almost a Century Khaosod English Archived from the original on 3 August 2019 Retrieved 2 August 2019 Charuvastra Teeranai 21 October 2019 Royal Consort Sineenat Stripped of Royal Ranks Khaosod English Archived from the original on 21 October 2019 Retrieved 21 October 2019 Thailand s king reinstates his consort after her fall from grace BBC 2 September 2020 Retrieved 2 September 2020 The king s latest decision means that Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi is not tarnished the Royal Gazette announced Henceforth it will be as if she had never been stripped of her military ranks or royal decorations Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 27 June 2018 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 27 June 2018 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Modtagere af danske dekorationer jump down to just above the picture gallery and search for Vajiralongkorn of Thailand in the search box where it says Sog efter navn eller titel kongehuset dk in Danish Archived from the original on 12 May 2019 Retrieved 18 April 2019 Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran Bintang dan Pingat Istiadat gov my 20 January 2016 Archived from the original on 19 July 2019 Retrieved 10 January 2017 Alamy Nemerknushie zaslugi v razvitii otnoshenij mezhdu KNDR i Tailandom Sajta MID KNDR 10 March 2022 ithy epru Archived from the original on 23 February 2022 Retrieved 23 February 2022 Boletin Oficial del Estado PDF Archived PDF from the original on 1 March 2020 Retrieved 1 December 2016 Further reading Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vajiralongkorn Wikiquote has quotations related to Vajiralongkorn Hannah Beech 7 November 2019 Extremely Evil Misconduct Thailand s Palace Intrigue Spills into View The New York Times Elizabeth Yuko 29 August 2019 Pictures of the Thai King s Consort Broke the Internet But What s a Consort Rolling Stone Head Jonathan 16 October 2016 Thai king s death Who holds power now BBC Retrieved 16 October 2016 Handley Paul M 2006 The King Never Smiles Yale University Press ASIN B0015GUOPY VajiralongkornHouse of MahidolCadet branch of the House of ChakriBorn 28 July 1952Regnal titlesPreceded byBhumibol Adulyadej King of Thailand2016 present IncumbentHeir presumptive Dipangkorn RasmijotiThai royaltyVacantTitle last held byVajiravudh Crown Prince of Thailand1972 2016 VacantOrder of precedenceFirst Thai order of precedenceThe Sovereign1st position Succeeded byThe Queen Mother Portals Thailand Biography Politics Royalty Monarchy Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vajiralongkorn amp oldid 1153234491, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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