Vajiralongkorn

VajiralongkornTemplate:Efn (born 28 July 1952), titled Rama X, is King of Thailand.

The only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit, he was made crown prince by his father in 1972, at the age of 20. After his father's death on 13 October 2016, he requested that his formal accession ceremony be delayed to allow for time to mourn his father.<ref name="Coconuts BKK">Template:Cite news</ref> On 1 December 2016, he formally accepted the throne, becoming the tenth Thai monarch of the Chakri dynasty and, at the age of 64, the oldest to ascend to the throne.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The government retroactively declared his reign to have begun at his father's death on 13 October 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His coronation took place from 4 to 6 May 2019.<ref name="Nation-20190101">Template:Cite web</ref>

Vajiralongkorn is the wealthiest monarch in the world,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> with an estimated net worth between Template:USD<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Template:USD.<ref>Template:Cite AV mediaTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Early life and education

Vajiralongkorn was born on 28 July 1952 at 17:45<ref>ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง ให้หยุดราชการและชักธงชาติเนื่องในการที่พระราชกุมารประสูติ Template:Webarchive, เล่ม 69, ตอนที่ 49, 12 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2495, หน้า 2434</ref> 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 Vajirananavongse, 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.<ref name="BP-20161201-Childhood">Template:Cite news</ref>

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 King's Mead prep school, Seaford, Sussex, and later at Millfield School in Somerset,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where he completed his secondary education in July 1970.<ref name="BP-20161201-Military">Template:Cite news</ref> In August 1970, he attended a five-week military training course at The King's School in Sydney, Australia.<ref name="BP-20161201-Military"/>

University

Vajiralongkorn in 1972 as a student at Australia's Royal Military College, Duntroon

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.<ref name="BP-20161201-Military"/>

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

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.<ref name="BP-20161201-Childhood"/>

Short-term monastic life

On 6 November 1978, at age 26, the prince was ordained as a monk at Wat Phra Kaew. As is traditional for royals, he stayed at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara for 15 days, under the monastic name "Vajiralongkornno".<ref name="BP-20161201-Religion">Template:Cite news</ref>

Military training and career

Vajiralongkorn climbing out of the cockpit of an F-5E Tiger II aircraft

Vajiralongkorn with Nilde Iotti in 1985

After completing his studies, Vajiralongkorn served as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army. He started his army career as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and attended the Command and General Staff College in 1977.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After that he became Deputy Commander of the King Chulalongkorn's Own Guards, the 4th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment in 1978. In 1980 he was appointed as a Commander of the 4th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment.<ref>สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว ร.๑๐ ทรงพระปรีชาการทหาร/</ref> In 1992 he became Commander of the Royal Security Command.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He is a military pilot qualified to fly the Northrop F-5,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> F-16, and the Boeing 737-400.<ref name="BP-20161201-Military" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The event occurred one day after the 80th birthday of his father.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=royalthaiembassy>Template:Cite web</ref>

Agricultural development

Vajiralongkorn (right) with his mother Queen Sirikit, 1991

US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz (right) escorts Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to the Pentagon, 12 June 2003

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.<ref name=royalthaiembassy/>

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.<ref name=royalthaiembassy/>

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.<ref name=royalthaiembassy/> Since becoming King himself Vajiralongkorn has presided over and participated in the ceremony in his own right.<ref name="Star-Thai-coron-plough">Template:Cite video</ref><ref name="Thai-plough-cancel-2021">Template:Cite web</ref>

In honour of his coronation the Rice Department released five new rice varieties/cultivars<ref name="Vajiralongkorn-coron">Template:Cite web</ref> and the king has continued patronage of the royal rice varieties competition, the tradition of his ancestor Chulalongkorn.<ref name="Thai-Min-Ag-hist">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="FFTC-AP-rice-breeding">Template:Cite web</ref>

Focus on education

Vajiralongkorn has initiated education projects to improve children's access to quality learning and instill the concept of lifelong learning.<ref name=BP-20161201/> 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. He also donates 42 million baht annually to a scholarship fund benefiting Rajabhat students.<ref name=BP-20161201>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sport interest

Vajiralongkorn at the 2015 Bike for Mom cycling parade

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.<ref name=":0" />

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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>

Residence

Most of the time, Vajiralongkorn lives in Bavaria in Germany,<ref name=saudelli_16102020>Template:Cite news</ref> where he has spent a significant amount of his adulthood. His son, Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, goes to school in the area.<ref name=saudelli_16102020/> 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 for an overnight stay in neighboring Laos.<ref name=cna_27102020>Template:Cite news</ref> Vajiralongkorn has also received visits from Thai officials and dignitaries in Germany.<ref name=saudelli_16102020/> 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.<ref name=saudelli_16102020/>

Reign

Accession to the throne and coronation

Portrait of King Vajiralongkorn inside EmQuartier shopping mall, 2017

Template:See also 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="Coconuts BKK"/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref name="BBC-20161201">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="BBC-20161201"/> The remains were then cremated on 26 October 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=crown>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Shawn W. Crispin, How stable is post-cremation Thailand? Template:Webarchive, Asia Times (6 December 2017).</ref> Currently, his main residence is Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, with the king having moved from Nonthaburi Palace in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

King Vajiralongkorn at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace in 2018

Vajiralongkorn's three-day coronation ceremonies took place from 4 to 6 May 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The one billion baht (US$29.8 million) coronation was anticipated to attract 150,000 people to Sanam Luang, which it did.<ref name="Nation-20190101" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Appointment of members of the privy council

Template:See also 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.<ref name=bangkokpost1152824>Template:Cite news</ref> On 13 December 2016, the King appointed two new members, Wirach Chinvinitkul and Charunthada Karnasuta.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 25 December 2016, the King appointed one more new member, Kampanart Rooddit.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 19 January 2017, Privy Councillor Chanchai Likhitjitta died at the age of 71.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Direct political interference

Vajiralongkorn's coronation

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.<ref name=crown/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=crown/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the death of King Bhumibol, political activity was paused during a period of mourning that ended in 2017.<ref name=crown/>

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.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Failed verification</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later that same day, Vajiralongkorn issued a strongly worded statement, stating that her candidacy for prime minister is "inappropriateTemplate:Nbsp... and unconstitutional".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Election Commission of Thailand then disqualified her from running for prime minister, formally putting an end to her candidacy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Thai Raksa Chart Party was dissolved on 7 March 2019 by order of the Constitutional Court of Thailand and its political leaders were banned from politics for a decade.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Vajiralongkorn has direct control over the royal household and palace security agencies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Overseas travels

On 12 November 2025, Vajiralongkorn arrived in Beijing as part of the first visit by a Thai monarch to China.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Controversies

Template:See also 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2020, Thailand experienced widespread and unprecedented protests opposing his rule, which garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

King Vajiralongkorn reigning from the German state of Bavaria triggered anti-monarchy sentiments which contributed to protests across Thailand.

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He remained there during the nationwide protests and amidst a wave of anti-monarchy sentiments in Thailand,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> sparking controversy in both Thailand and Germany.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> German foreign minister Heiko Maas has warned the King not to govern from German soil.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He also mentioned that the German government will be investigating his behavior during his stay in the country.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name=cna_27102020/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

Public image, the media, and the law

Portrait of Vajiralongkorn on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, 2006

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 have been strictly prohibited.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Duncan. McCargo, Media and Politics in Pacific Asia, p. 146</ref>

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 lifeTemplate:Nbsp... 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",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> while the online journal Asia Sentinel said that he was "regarded as erratic and virtually incapable of ruling";<ref>More Lèse majesté Charges in Thailand Template:Webarchive Asia Sentinel, 1 April 2010</ref> the journal was blocked shortly thereafter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a leaked diplomatic cable, senior Singaporean foreign ministry official Bilahari Kausikan said that Vajiralongkorn had a gambling habit partly funded by exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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".<ref name=australian>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=scotsman>Thai court jails Australian novelist for three years over royal 'insult' Template:Webarchive, The Scotsman, 19 January 2009</ref> Nicolaides was later pardoned by the king.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nicolaides later stated that "it's entirely fiction from cover to cover".<ref>Australian Writer Who Insulted Thai Monarchy Shares Prison Cell With Child Molester, Weapons Dealer Template:Webarchive, Huffington Post, 22 February 2009.</ref>

In August 2011, the German judicial authorities in Munich impounded a Boeing 737 aircraft, one of two belonging to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 1 August, Vajiralongkorn's office announced he would pay the deposit amounting to €20 million himself.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> One day later the Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya confirmed that the Thai government would pay the deposit.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Failed verification</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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. Vajiralongkorn started living with actress Yuvadhida Polpraserth in the late 1970s and had five children with her. Although 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 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.<ref>Nonthaburi Family Court, Documents of Case #79/2536, 14 January 2007</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name= BBC>Template:Cite news</ref> From his sons in America, Vajiralongkorn has three grandchildren.

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.<ref>"Simplicity, warmth win hearts", The Nation</ref>

In November 2014, however, Vajiralongkorn sent a letter to the interior ministry asking for Srirasmi's family to be stripped of the royal name Akharaphongpreecha awarded to her, following allegations of corruption against seven of her relatives.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following month, Srirasmi relinquished her royal titles and name and was officially divorced from Vajiralongkorn.

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.<ref name= "Queen">Template:Cite web</ref> Suthida was therefore made the queen consort of King Vajiralongkorn<ref name="Queen"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> whose coronation took place in Bangkok on 4–6 May 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=a>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Children

Children of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajira Klao Chao Yu Hua<ref name=BBC/>

Name	Relation	Birth	Notes
By Soamsawali Kitiyakara Template:Small
Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra	Daughter	Template:Birth date and age	in a coma not expected to recover<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
By Yuvadhida Polpraserth Template:Small
Juthavachara Vivacharawongse	Son	Template:Birth date and age	born as Juthavachara Mahidol, married to Riya Gough, has issue
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse	Son	Template:Birth date and age	born as Vacharaesorn Mahidol, married to Elisa Garafano, has issue
Chakriwat Vivacharawongse	Son	Template:Birth date and age	born as Chakriwat Mahidol
Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse	Son	Template:Birth date and age	born as Vatchrawee Mahidol
Princess Sirivannavari	Daughter	Template:Birth date and age	born as Busyanambejra Mahidol
By Srirasmi Suwadee Template:Small
Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti	Son	Template:Birth date and age

Honours

Military rank

• General, Admiral and Air Chief Marshal<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank

• Volunteer Defense Corps General<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Foreign decorations

• Template:Flag: Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (13 February 2024)<ref>Australian governor-general arrives in Thailand on official visit, The Nation, 13 February 2024</ref>
• Template:Flag: Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross (1 April 1993)
• Template:Flag: Family Order of Laila Utama (1988)
• Template:Flag: Knight of the Order of the Elephant (7 February 2001)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flag: Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (24 April 1993)
• Template:Flag: Grad Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau (12 February 1986)
• Template:Flag: Honorary Grand Commander of the Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm (2 September 2013)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Template:Flag: First Class of the Family Order of Terengganu (2009)
  • Template:Flag: Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Kelantan (2004)
• Template:Flag: Member of the Most Glorious Order of the Benevolent Ruler (12 December 1984).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
• Template:Flag: First Class of the Order of the National Flag (10 March 1992)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flag: First Class of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (16 May 1992)
• Template:Flag: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (9 April 1993)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flag: Grand Cross of the Military Order of Aviz (31 December 1981)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flag: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (13 November 1987)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flag: Member Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Seraphim (2003)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flag: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (28 October 1996)

Wear of orders, decorations, and medals

The ribbons worn regularly by Vajiralongkorn in undress uniform are as follows :<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Freeman Safeguarding Medal - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg File:Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg

Further reading

• Template:Cite web
• Template:Cite magazine
• Template:Cite web
• Template:Cite book

External links

• Template:IMDb name

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