Maha Vajiralongkorn
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Maha Vajiralongkorn (born July 28, 1952) is the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King (Rama IX) of Thailand, and Queen Sirikit. He is currently crown prince of Thailand.
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[edit] Early life
Vajiralongkorn was born in the Chitralada Palace in Bangkok. He was educated at a primary school in Bangkok, and then at private secondary colleges in the United Kingdom (Millfield School, Somerset) and Australia (The King's School, Sydney). In 1972 the King gave him the title "Somdech Phra Boroma Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman," making him the Crown Prince and heir to the throne.
[edit] Adult life
The Prince undertook military training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra, Australia, and also completed an arts degree at Sukhothai Thammatirat University in Bangkok. Since 1975, he has served as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army. He served as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence, and in 1978 he became head of the King's Own Bodyguard Battalion. In that year, however, he interrupted his military career to be ordained for a season as a Buddhist monk, as is customary for all Thai Buddhist males.
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Vajiralongkorn trained for periods with the United States, British and Australian armed services, studying special forces demolition, unconventional warfare tactics and advanced navigation training. He is a qualified military pilot and a helicopter pilot. Although a military career is conventional for royal princes, Vajiralongkorn is unique in having taken an active part in military actions inside his own country. In the 1970s he led counter-insurgency campaigns against the forces of the Communist Party of Thailand in the North and Northeast of Thailand, and also took part in operations along the border with Cambodia during the years of the Khmer Rouge regime.
[edit] Achievements
Vajiralongkorn now holds the ranks of General in the Royal Thai Army, Admiral in the Royal Thai Navy and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Thai Air Force. His military role in recent years has become increasingly ceremonial. As his father has grown older, turning 80 in 2007, Vajiralongkorn has taken a more prominent part in royal ceremonial and public appearances.
Although the subject is never publicly discussed in Thailand, most observers believe that Vajiralongkorn shares none of the enormous popularity of his parents among the Thai public. This is partly because of his career as a military officer at a time when the public have turned against Thailand's long history of military rule, partly because of his private life, and partly because he is seen as a cold and remote personality.
The Economist wrote in 2002: "Vajiralongkorn is held in much less esteem [than the king]. Bangkok gossips like to swap tales of his lurid personal life. One of his sisters, another possible heir to the throne, is more popular, but Thailand has never been ruled by a woman. Besides, no successor, however worthy, can hope to equal the stature King Bhumibol has attained after 55 years on the throne." This issue of The Economist was banned in Thailand.
[edit] Family
On January 3, 1977 Vajiralongkorn married Princess Soamsavali Kitiyakara (born 1957), a first cousin on his mother's side. They had one daughter. The marriage ended in divorce in the 1980s.
Vajiralongkorn lived for some years with a common law wife, Yuvadhida Polpraserth (born 1962), with whom he had four sons and a daughter. This relationship ended with Princess Yuvadhida Polpraserth fleeing to England with the children, then later moving to the United States with the sons. Vajiralongkorn retrieved their daughter and brought her back to Thailand to live with him.
Vajiralongkorn married again, on February 10, 2001, to Mom Srirasmi Mahidol na Ayuthaya, a commoner from a modest background who was later elevated to HRH Princess Srirasmi. This marriage was not disclosed until later. She gave birth to a son on April 29, 2005.
[edit] Children
With Princess Soamsavali Kitiyakara:
- HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, born December 7, 1978.
With Yuvadhida Polpraserth:
- H.S.H Prince Juthawachara, born August 29, 1979
- H.S.H Prince Vacharaeson, May 27, 1981
- H.S.H Prince Chakriwat, February 26, 1983
- H.S.H Prince Vacharawee, June 14, 1985
- HSH Princess Busya Nambejira (later changed to Siriwanwari), January 8, 1987. Elevated to HRH Princess Siriwannawari Nariratana by royal command on June 15, 2005.
With Princess Srirasmi (elevated to HRH on June 15, 2005) :
- HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, born April 29, 2005 (Project Y resulted from a team of Doctors)
