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79-511: The King The Queen Royal Noble Consort Sineenat Bilaskalayani The Queen Mother The Chakri dynasty is the current reigning dynasty of the Kingdom of Thailand . The head of the house is the king , who is head of state . The family has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Rattanakosin era and the city of Bangkok in 1782; following the end of Taksin 's reign, when

158-505: A crop top and with full view of his half sleeve tattoo . 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

237-703: A career officer in the Royal Thai Army . He started his army career as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence and attended the Command and General Staff College in 1977. 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. In 1992 he became Commander of

316-731: 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

395-593: A fire erupted in the Grand Palace . Wichaichan's reluctance to help quell the flames gave Chulalongkorn the excuse he needed to lay siege to the Front Palace. As a result, on the night of 2 January 1875, Wichaichan fled to the British consulate to the south of Bangkok to seek refuge from the king. Negotiations between the two cousins began, however no clear conclusions were reached. With Wichaichan under

474-509: A half-hour documentary critical of the royal family of Thailand. 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". Nicolaides

553-487: 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 . Part of this video was broadcast on the programme Foreign Correspondent , on the Australian ABC channel on 13 April 2010, as part of

632-430: A naval forces of several steam powered gunboats . The prince also had a large share of state revenues , over one-third of which is given directly to him for the maintenance of his officials, retinue, court, concubines, and advisors. When Chulalongkorn came of age in 1873, he and his western-educated brothers were intent on creating a modern absolutist state . Siamese government during previous reigns were dominated by

711-578: 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. 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. The following month, Srirasmi relinquished her royal titles and name and

790-788: A son, Prince Karnchananophas Rasmi, the Prince of Chanchai Bovornyod, whose descendants use the surname: Kanchanawichai and with Consort Leam: Prince Rajani Chamcharas , the Prince Bidyalongkorn, whose descendants use the surname: Rajani. One of Prince Rajani Chamcharas' descendants is Mom Chao Bhisadej Rajani , the President of the Royal Projects of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), a grandson of King Chulalongkorn . Title • 1838-unknown  : His Serence Highness Prince George Washington Prince Wichaichan received

869-525: Is King of Thailand since 2016. He is the tenth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty , titled Rama X . 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 was expected to ascend to the Thai throne but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne. He accepted

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948-421: Is Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, with the king having moved from Nonthaburi Palace in 2011. Vajiralongkorn's three-day coronation ceremonies took place from 4 to 6 May 2019. The one billion baht (US$ 29.8 million) coronation was anticipated to attract 150,000 people to Sanam Luang , which it did. Following the resignation of the councillors to Bhumibol Adulyadej, Vajiralongkorn appointed 10 members of

1027-728: Is affected by his reputation as a philanderer . In 2020, widespread unprecedented protests against his reign were popping up all over 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 . He remained there during the nationwide protests and amidst a wave of anti-monarchy sentiments in Thailand, sparking controversy in both Thailand and Germany. German foreign minister Heiko Maas has warned

1106-678: 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. Vajiralongkorn has also received visits from Thai officials and dignitaries in Germany. 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

1185-429: 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. 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

1264-410: Is governed by the 1924 Palace Law of Succession passed by King Vajiravudh. Chakri dynasty Kings Viceroys Deputy Viceroy Crown Prince Hereditary Prince Royalty Siamese Foreigners Key events Vajiralongkorn The King The Queen Royal Noble Consort Sineenat Bilaskalayani The Queen Mother Vajiralongkorn (born 28 July 1952)

1343-414: 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

1422-460: 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. 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

1501-497: Is responsible for government matters, while the King is in Germany for personal reasons. 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. After his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on 13 October 2016, Vajiralongkorn

1580-795: 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 , where he completed his secondary education in July 1970. In August 1970, he attended a five-week military training course at The King's School , in Sydney , Australia. In 1972,

1659-587: The Front Palace by his older brother King Mongkut (Rama IV). Pinklao also received from his brother all the styles, titles and honour of a monarch, despite never having been crowned himself. During his childhood the Prince received a modern education, including the English language and modern sciences. It was said that he became an extremely skillful engineer. After King Pinklao's death in 1866, King Mongkut decided not to appoint another Front Palace due to

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1738-500: The Krom Phrarajawang Boworn Sathan Mongkol (Vice or Second King of Siam/Viceroy of Siam) (กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานมงคล) was an office that was bestowed on the highest ranking prince, frequently the monarch's younger brother or son. Until 1885 every Chakri monarch had appointed a prince to this office. The Uprarat and his miniature court would reside at the Front Palace (วังหน้า) (a palace complex to

1817-560: 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

1896-681: The Royal Security Command . He is a military pilot qualified to fly the Northrop F-5 , F-16 , and the Boeing 737-400 . 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 . The event occurred one day after

1975-524: The Thai prime ministership in the 2019 general election , running as a candidate of the Thaksin -allied Thai Raksa Chart Party . Later that same day, Vajiralongkorn issued a strongly worded statement, stating that her candidacy for prime minister is "inappropriate   ... and unconstitutional". The Election Commission of Thailand then disqualified her from running for prime minister, formally putting an end to her candidacy. The Thai Raksa Chart Party

2054-450: 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

2133-599: 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. In 2002, The Economist wrote that "Vajiralongkorn

2212-472: The 80th birthday of his father. 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. Also interested in agricultural development, Vajiralongkorn has accepted

2291-460: The Chakri dynasty and monks. The council was presided by Sri Suriwongse who was also appointed regent for the young king. During the meeting, when one of the princes nominated Wichaichan as the next Front Palace, many in the council objected. The most notable objection of this nomination came from Prince Vorachak Tharanubhab. The prince argued that the appointment of such an important position

2370-400: 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

2449-573: The King not to govern from German soil. He also mentioned that the European state will be investigating his behavior during his stay in Germany. 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. Vajiralongkorn

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2528-461: The King to appoint Prince Yodyingyot to succeed King Pinklao. Sri Suriwongse was a member of the powerful Bunnag family , which had dominated the running of the Siamese government since the reign of King Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II). The King refused to appoint Yodyingyot, instead he elevated the Prince to Krom Muen Bowon Wichaichan or Prince Bowon Wichaichan in 1867. This meant Wichaichan

2607-476: The Kingdom of Ayutthaya. However, since the founding of the dynasty there has only been one rear palace. Prince Anurak Devesh was the nephew of King Phutthayotfa Chualok (his mother Princess Thepsuthavadi was the king's elder sister) and was appointed to the office in 1785. The Crown Prince of Thailand or Sayam Makutrajakuman (สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร) is the designated and heir apparent to the throne and headship of

2686-592: The Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Australia. He shares his love of the sport with his father. Most of the time, Vajiralongkorn lives in Bavaria in Germany, where he has spent a significant amount of his adulthood. His son, Dipangkorn Rasmijoti , goes to school in the area. The King requested and received changes to the constitution to end the requirement that he appoint a regent when he

2765-537: The United States, and as of 2007, she was known as Sujarinee Vivacharawongse . From his sons in America, Vajiralongkorn has three grandchildren. 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

2844-440: The age of 47. Prince Bovorn Wichaichan was cremated with great ceremony on the field of Sanam Luang on 14 June 1886. The Front Palace compound itself was partly demolished, parts that remain were given to Wichaichan's consorts, daughters and sisters as residences (sons were excluded). After his death the office of Front Palace was left vacant until On 14 January 1886, when Chulalongkorn's son with Princess Consort Savang Vadhana

2923-677: The aristocracy, with many elements of feudalism still in existence. In order to modernize and centralize the state, Chulalongkorn must consolidate the royal government 's control over finances and the bureaucracy. First, he created the Auditing Office and then, a year later, the Privy Council of Siam . These two reforms quickly drew the ire of the aristocracy and Wichaichan, whose powers were slowly being eroded. The conflict between Chulalongkorn and Wichaichan over these reforms erupted in open confrontation, after Wichaichan received an anonymous letter threatening his life. On 28 December 1874,

3002-412: The capital of Siam shifted to Bangkok. The royal house was founded by Rama I , an Ayutthaya military leader of Sino - Mon descent. Prior to his accession to the throne, Rama I held for years the title Chakri , the civil chancellor. In founding the dynasty, the king himself chose " Chakri " as the name for it. The emblem of the house is composed of the discus ( Chakra ) and the trident ( Trishula ),

3081-431: The celestial weapons of the gods Vishnu and Shiva , of whom the Thai sovereign is seen as an incarnation. The current head of the house is Vajiralongkorn who was proclaimed king on 1 December 2016, but has reigned with retroactive effect since 13 October 2016 after the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej . The house's current seat is the Grand Palace . On Saturday, 4 May 2019, the coronation of Vajiralongkorn, with

3160-532: The concept of lifelong learning. 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

3239-417: 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". On 1 August, Vajiralongkorn's office announced he would pay the deposit amounting to €20 million himself. One day later the Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya confirmed that the Thai government would pay

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3318-463: The deposit. 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. On 16 May 2017, Thai officials warned Facebook after an online video was posted of the king wearing

3397-468: The dynasty. The title was created in 1886 when King Chulalongkorn appointed his eldest son by Princess Consort Savang Vadhana, Prince Vajirunhis as Sayam Makutrajakuman. The title was copied directly from the Western tradition. Since then, there have only been three crown princes. The most recent crown prince, Maha Vajiralongkorn , was invested with the title in 1972 and became King in 2016. The succession

3476-575: The fact that his own son Prince Chulalongkorn was only 12 years old. This meant that the position which was also that of the heir presumptive was left unoccupied (Siam had no law of succession at the time, but the Viceroy was seen as the strongest claimant). Fearing instability, Chao Phraya Sri Suriwongse (Chuang Bunnag) the Kalahom (one of the Prime Ministers of Siam ) tried to persuade

3555-631: The impression that his life was in danger, he refused all reconciliation. By February, the crisis has reached stalemate. Si Suriwongse decided to advise the British acting-Consul to invite an influential person to intervene and end the crisis. Invitations were made to Sir Andrew Clarke the Governor of the Straits Settlements . Clarke arrived in Bangkok on 18 February. After some deliberations with various factions, he decided to support

3634-640: The incoming monarch. The relationship between Chulalongkorn and the Wichaichan would remain difficult for the rest of the latter's life, based on this fact. On 11 November 1868, Wichaichan's cousin Chulalongkorn was crowned Supreme King of Siam at the Grand Palace . Since the elevation of King Pinklao twenty years earlier, the office of Front Palace had gained considerable amount of power and prestige. The viceroy had his own army of over 2,000 men, western trained and western armed. He also controlled

3713-536: 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. 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. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that

3792-399: 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." 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. The remains were then cremated on 26 October 2017. Currently, his main residence

3871-652: The king. 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." The ribbons worn regularly by Vajiralongkorn in undress uniform are as follows : [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Wichaichan Phra Ong Chao Yodyingyot Bovorn Rachorod Rattana Rachakumarn (พระองค์เจ้ายอดยิ่งประยุรยศบวรราโชรสรัตนราชกุมาร)

3950-526: The nation. Since becoming King himself Vajiralongkorn has presided over and participated in the ceremony in his own right. In honour of his coronation the Rice Department released five new rice varieties/cultivars and the king has continued patronage of the royal rice varieties competition, the tradition of his ancestor Chulalongkorn . Vajiralongkorn has initiated education projects to improve children's access to quality learning and instill

4029-604: The north of the Grand Palace , now the site of the Bangkok National Museum ). By tradition the Uparat was designated the heir to the throne, however only Prince Itsarasunthon was able to ascend the throne as King Phutthaloetla Naphalai . The office was extremely prestigious and carried with it almost equal status to the king, this can be seen in Prince Chutamani (younger brother of King Mongkut ), who

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4108-400: 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. After the death of King Bhumibol, political activity was paused during a period of mourning that ended in 2017. In February 2019, in an unprecedented move, the King's elder sister, Ubol Ratana , announced her candidacy for

4187-741: 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. In 1982, he completed a second bachelor's degree in law, with second-class honors at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University . Vajiralongkorn

4266-412: The quality of agricultural production. 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. In the later years of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign, Vajiralongkorn represented

4345-593: The rest of his life quietly as an educated gentleman, being consigned to his palace. The role and influence of the Front Palace and the nobility was greatly diminished, and Chulalongkorn was able to continue his reforms in peace without opposition. In 1881 Wichaichan met King Kalākaua of the Hawaiian Islands , who made a stop in Siam on his world tour. The king noted that Wichaichan was well educated and spoke English fluently. Wichaichan died on 28 August 1885 at

4424-443: The throne on the night of 1 December 2016. His coronation took place from 4–6 May 2019. The Thai government retroactively declared his reign to have begun on 13 October 2016, upon his father's death. Aged 64 at that time, Vajiralongkorn became the oldest Thai monarch to ascend to the throne. He is the wealthiest monarch in the world , with a net worth estimated to be between US$ 30 billion and US$ 70 billion . Vajiralongkorn

4503-400: 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. 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

4582-478: The traditional ceremony, occurred in Bangkok. The present royal family of Thailand belongs to the House of Mahidol ( Thai : ราชสกุลมหิดล ; RTGS :  Ratchasakun Mahidon ), a cadet branch of the Chakri dynasty. The House was founded by Prince Mahidol Adulyadej (1891–1929) and Princess Srinagarindra (1900–1995). The Prince was a son of King Chulalongkorn and his wife Queen Savang Vadhana . The Prince

4661-513: 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. 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

4740-490: The young king over Wichaichan. On the evening of 24 February, Clarke forced the humiliated Wichaichan to accept Chulalongkorn's terms in full. The terms of the settlement stripped Wichaichan of all of his powers. He was able to keep only 200 guards of small weaponry and was also forced to abdicate his title of viceroy. Despite this, he was able to remain Front Palace and keep his residence. Chulalongkorn also promised to take responsibility for his finances and safety. He lived

4819-478: Was "widely loathed and feared" and "unpredictable to the point of eccentricity", while the online journal Asia Sentinel said that he was "regarded as erratic and virtually incapable of ruling"; the journal was blocked shortly thereafter. 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. On 12 November 2009,

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4898-567: 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. 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

4977-422: Was also the half-brother of both King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok . After the death of King Ananda Mahidol (Prince Mahidol's elder son), King Bhumibol Adulyadej (the Prince's younger son) ascended the throne in 1946. In 1949 the King married his first cousin once removed , Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara (a daughter of Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangala Kitiyakara , a grandson of King Chulalongkorn). Bhumibol

5056-506: Was also the son of one of the most westernized member of the elite to ascend the throne — over the young Chulalongkorn. In August 1868 King Mongkut contracted malaria whilst on an expedition to see a solar eclipse in Prachuap Khiri Khan province , six weeks later he died on 1 October. The young Chulalongkorn (who was only 15 years old at the time) was unanimously declared king by a council of high-ranking nobility, princes of

5135-475: 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. Vajiralongkorn has direct control over the royal household and palace security agencies . Vajiralongkorn's reign has been plagued by controversies unheard of during the reign of his predecessor. His image

5214-842: Was born on 28 July 1952 at 17:45 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. Vajiralongkorn began his education in 1956 when he entered kindergarten at

5293-472: Was born on the 6 April 1838, the eldest son of Prince Chutamani and Princess Aim. It was said that his father gave him an English name in honour of his personal hero, the first President of the United States , George Washington . Therefore, he is sometimes referred to as Prince George Washington or Prince George . In May 1851 Prince Yodyingyot's father was elevated as Second King Pinklao or

5372-409: Was determined and retorted by accusing the prince of wanting to be appointed himself ("ที่ไม่ยอมนั้น อยากจะเป็นเองหรือ"). The prince replied wearily "If you have ask me to permit it [the appointment], then I will have to permit it" ("ถ้าจะให้ยอมก็ต้องยอม"). As a result, Prince Wichaichan was appointed Front Palace ( Krom Phra Rajawang Bovorn Sathan Mongkol ) and viceroy without the full consent of

5451-528: Was elevated to Vice King Pinklao in 1851 (he carried with him the styles and titles of a King). The office was abolished by King Chulalongkorn when his Uparat and cousin Prince Wichaichan died. He then declared his oldest son the crown prince of Siam, but not Uparat. Krom Phrarajawang Boworn Sathan Phimuk (กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานพิมุข), or the Rear Palace , was another office inherited from

5530-413: Was expected to succeed to the throne of Thailand but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne. 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 . Vajiralongkorn accepted

5609-671: 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. 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

5688-665: Was later pardoned by the king. Nicolaides later stated that "it's entirely fiction from cover to cover". In August 2011, the German judicial authorities in Munich impounded a Boeing 737 aircraft, one of two belonging to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. 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

5767-543: Was made Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis or Somdet Phra Boromma-orasathirat Sayam Makutrajakuman . The title of Front Palace, which was first created in 1688 by King Petracha of Ayutthaya was thus abolished and replaced with an heir apparent , whose succession is to be based on the principle of male primogeniture . The new invented title brought Siamese succession in line with the European tradition. During his lifetime Wichaichan fathered 28 children with various consorts and concubines. With Chao Chom Manda Prik Lek, he had

5846-647: Was officially divorced from Vajiralongkorn. On 1 May 2019, three days before his coronation, Vajiralongkorn married Suthida Tidjai, former acting commander of Royal Thai Aide-de-Camp Department. Suthida was therefore made the queen consort of King Vajiralongkorn whose coronation took place in Bangkok on 4–6 May 2019. 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. On 28 July 2019, Vajiralongkorn bestowed

5925-491: Was only made a Prince of the Front Palace but not the actual title of Front Palace. Since 1865 the Prince was also the commander of the Front Palace's naval forces. Wichaichan was a great friend of the British Consul-General to Siam : Thomas George Knox , he was originally recruited by Pinklao to modernize the Front Palace's armed forces. Knox greatly preferred the mature and experienced Wichaichan — who

6004-501: 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. 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". After completing his studies, Vajiralongkorn served as

6083-431: Was re-appointed Privy Council president by royal command. On 13 December 2016, the King appointed two new members, Wirach Chinvinitkul and Charunthada Karnasuta. On 25 December 2016, the King appointed one more new member, Kampanart Rooddit. On 19 January 2017, Privy Councillor Chanchai Likhitjitta died at the age of 71. Thailand's military-appointed parliament voted overwhelmingly in January 2017 to make amendments to

6162-527: Was succeeded by his son Vajiralongkorn officially on 13 October 2016, but was proclaimed King on 1 December 2016. This is a list of current members of the royal family: 2.The proposal of the name of a Princess to the throne, there has been an amendment to the constitution since 1974. Therefore, the lineage of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej is counted in accordance with the constitution amended in his reign. The Maha Uparat (มหาอุปราช) or

6241-405: Was the sole prerogative of the king and not of the council. Furthermore, the position was not hereditary, and the appointment of the son of the former could set a dangerous precedent. However, the nomination of Wichaichan was supported by Sri Suriwongse who wanted to secure a line of succession by appointing an able and experienced Front Palace (as the second-in-line to the throne). Sri Suriwongse

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