Vajiralongkorn

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Vajiralongkorn
วชิราลงกรณ
King Rama X
Formal 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
Prawit Wongsuwan (acting)
Prayut Chan-o-cha
Srettha Thavisin
Born (1952-07-28) 28 July 1952 (age 71)
Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace, Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand
Spouse
Soamsawali Kitiyakara
(m. 1977; div. 1991)

Yuvadhida Polpraserth
(m. 1994; div. 1996)

Srirasmi Suwadee
(m. 2001; div. 2014)

Suthida Tidjai
(m. 2019)

Niramon Ounprom
(m. 2019)
IssueBajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra
Juthavachara Vivacharawongse
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse
Chakriwat Vivacharawongse
Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse
Princess Sirivannavari
Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti
HouseMahidol (Chakri dynasty)[b]
FatherBhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
MotherSirikit Kitiyakara
ReligionTheravada
Vajiralongkorn
Thai name
Thaiวชิราลงกรณ
RTGSWachiralongkon

Maha Vajiralongkorn (born 28 July 1952)[4] became the King of Thailand on October 13, 2016. He is the only son of former King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. In 1972, the king gave him the title "His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn" . The title made him the third Crown Prince of Thailand and heir apparent to the throne. Vajiralongkorn was also a marshal in the Thai military.

King of Thailand[change | change source]

After his father's death on 13 October 2016, he succeeded to the throne of Thailand, with a delay, saying he needed "time to prepare before being proclaimed as the new king".[5] [6] He accepted the throne on December 1, 2016. The coronation was held in May 2019.

At aged 64, Vajiralongkorn became the oldest Thai monarch to ascend to the throne.[7]

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

Personal life[change | change source]

Vajiralongkorn has been married and divorced three times. He has three daughters and five sons. His four eldest sons were born before he married their mother. They are not able to succeed as king, because their titles have been removed. Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, born in 2005, is heir presumptive.

On 1 May 2019, three days before his coronation, Vajiralongkorn married Suthida Tidjai, former acting commander of Royal Thai Aide-de-Camp Department.[11]

Titles and styles[change | change source]

  • 28 July 195228 December 1972: His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn
  • 28 December 1972 – 13 October 2016: Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
  • 13 October 2016 - present: King Vajiralongkorn
The Coronation of King Rama X B.E. 2562 (A.D. 2019)

References[change | change source]

  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. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  3. Turner, Paige (25 Nov 2019). "5 things to know about Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn". South China Morning Post.
  4. "Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn". GlobalSecurity.org.
  5. AFP (2016-10-13). "Thai Prime Minister Prayuth says Crown Prince seeks delay in proclaiming him King". Coconut.co. Bangkok: Coconuts BKK. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  6. "Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dead at 88". BBC News. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  7. "Maha Vajiralongkorn – King of Thailand". Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  8. 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.
  9. "Thailand protests: How much is the king worth? | Counting the Cost". Al Jazeera English. 30 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30.
  10. Joehnk, Tom Felix; Wheeler, Matt (17 August 2020). "Opinion | 'You Have Awakened a Sleeping Giant'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  11. ประกาศ เรื่อง สถาปนาสมเด็จพระราชินี (PDF). Ratchakitcha. Royal Thai Government. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
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]
  2. In the Thai tradition, the house (ราชสกุล) is distinct from the dynasty (ราชวงศ์). Vajiralongkorn is the third king of the House of Mahidol (ราชสกุลมหิดล) and the tenth king of the Chakri dynasty (ราชวงศ์จักรี).
Preceded by
Bhumibol Adulyadej
King of Thailand
2016–present
Incumbent
Heir:
TBD