Maha Vajiralongkorn is the King of Thailand, having ascended to the throne on October 13, 2016, after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
He is the only son of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit.
Before becoming king, Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn in 1972 and was also a marshal in the Thai military.
He is the wealthiest monarch in the world, with a net worth estimated to be between US$30 billion and US$70 billion.
Vajiralongkorn has been married and divorced three times and has eight children.
His coronation was held in May 2019.
Vajiralongkorn has initiated education projects to improve children’s access to quality learning and has also focused on agriculture, believing it will help improve farmers’ quality of life.
He is a qualified civilian and fighter pilot, flying his own Boeing 737 when he travels overseas.
Maha Vajiralongkorn age
Vajiralongkorn was born on July 28, 1952, which makes him 71 years old as of December 2023.
Maha Vajiralongkorn height and weight
Vajiralongkorn is 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall and weighs 7.3 kilograms (16 pounds).
These measurements were confirmed during his coronation in May 2019, when he officially took on his father’s crown as the King of Thailand.
Maha Vajiralongkorn ethnicity and nationality
Vajiralongkorn is of Thai ethnicity.
Maha Vajiralongkorn parents
Vajiralongkorn is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
In 1972, at the age of 20, he was proclaimed the crown prince by his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
King Bhumibol, also known as Rama IX, was the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history, having ruled for seven decades until his passing in 2016.
He was highly revered and played a significant role in the modernization of Thailand.
Queen Sirikit, born in 1932, was the queen consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and was known for her extensive charity work and dedication to public service.
She was also the daughter of the Thai ambassador to France.
The royal couple had four children, with Vajiralongkorn being the second child and the only son.
Vajiralongkorn’s upbringing and education were influenced by his parents’ commitment to the well-being and development of Thailand.
His father’s legacy and his mother’s charitable activities have had a lasting impact on the country.
Maha Vajiralongkorn wife
Vajiralongkorn has been married four times, and his current wife is Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalakshana, who is also the royal consort of Thailand.
To cut the long story short, below is a brief overview of his marriages;
Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara – Vajiralongkorn married Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara in 1977, and they had one daughter, Princess Najrakitiyabha.
Srirasmi Suwadee – In 2001, Vajiralongkorn married Srirasmi Suwadee, a commoner of modest background.
Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi – In 2016, King Vajiralongkorn made Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, a former acting commander of the Royal Thai Aide-de-Camp Department, his official companion, giving her the title of “Chao Khun Phra” or Royal Noble Consort.
However, they had a tumultuous relationship, and she was eventually stripped of her titles and disappeared from view
Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalakshana – Vajiralongkorn married Queen Suthida in May 2019, promoting her to the rank of queen and restoring her royal title and status.
Queen Suthida was initially the deputy head of King Vajiralongkorn’s personal security detail and had previously been a flight attendant for Thai Airways.
Maha Vajiralongkorn children
Vajiralongkorn has seven children from his previous marriages.
His children include Princess Bajrakitiyabha, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, Prince Juthavachara Mahidol, Prince Vacharaesorn Mahidol, Prince Chakriwat Mahidol, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana and Prince Mahidol Mahidol.
They have been the subject of public interest and scrutiny, especially in the context of the Thai royal family and the question of succession.
Maha Vajiralongkorn net worth
Vajiralongkorn has a staggering net worth estimated to be between $30 billion and $70 billion.
His wealth is derived from investments through the Crown Property Bureau, which manages the royal family’s assets.
Vajiralongkorn is considered one of the wealthiest individuals globally and the richest royal figure, with an extensive property portfolio, including thousands of acres of land, government buildings, malls, and hotels.
Additionally, he owns a vast collection of diamonds, gemstones, and an impressive fleet of cars, airplanes, and boats.
Vajiralongkorn’s wealth and the management of the Crown’s portfolio have been the subject of public interest and scrutiny, especially in the context of Thailand’s economy and the monarchy’s finances.
Maha Vajiralongkorn controversies
Vajiralongkorn has been involved in several controversies during his reign.
These include criticism of his lavish spending and extravagant lifestyle, concerns about his political engagement and the role of the monarchy in Thai politics, and unprecedented public scrutiny and protests.
These controversies have impacted his public image and the perception of the monarchy in Thailand, with ongoing debate and scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
Maha Vajiralongkorn crop top incident
In recent years, Vajiralongkorn has been photographed wearing crop tops in Germany, which has caused controversy in Thailand.
The king’s fashion choices have been criticized, and some have seen them as inappropriate for a monarch.
The crop tops have become a symbol of protest against the monarchy, with some Thai citizens wearing them to demonstrations as a satirical comment on the king’s attire.
The king’s lavish lifestyle and spending have also been a subject of public debate and scrutiny, with some questioning the appropriateness of his behavior and the role of the monarchy in Thai society.
However, it is worth noting that the Thai government has strict laws against insulting the monarchy, and criticism of the king can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Maha Vajiralongkorn political career
Vajiralongkorn’s political career has been marked by a consolidation of power and increased involvement in Thai politics.
Since ascending to the throne in 2016, he has sought to re-establish royal crisis powers that were removed from the palace in the 2016 draft constitution, granting him the ability to impose executive and legislative vetoes and the right to dissolve the parliament.
His tighter grip on power has affected not only members of the elites but also commoners.
He has imposed tighter control over the palace’s inner circles and powerful figures, leading to the removal and stripping of titles from prominent palace members.
Additionally, Vajiralongkorn has been more open in his political ambition and involvement in politics compared to his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who built a political network known as the “network monarchy” to wield power.
Vajiralongkorn’s assertion of power has come at a time when Thailand has been grappling with political divisions and a protracted crisis, with the monarchy competing and allying itself with politicians in wielding political power.
His political strategy has been seen as an obstacle in building a political consensus and has contributed to the difficulty of rebuilding consensus in Thailand
Vajiralongkorn’s political career has been characterized by a significant shift in the monarchy’s role in Thai politics, with a more direct and assertive involvement in political affairs.
FAQ
Who is King Maha Vajiralongkorn?
Vajiralongkorn is the current monarch of Thailand, born on July 28, 1952, in Bangkok.
He ascended to the throne in 2016 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
What is King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated to be between $30 billion and $70 billion, derived from investments through the Crown Property Bureau and his extensive property portfolio.
Has King Maha Vajiralongkorn been involved in any scandals?
There have been several scandals involving Vajiralongkorn and his entourage over the years, including the Srirasmi Suwadee scandal and the Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi case.
Why has King Maha Vajiralongkorn been criticized for his lifestyle?
Vajiralongkorn has been criticized for his lavish spending, extravagant lifestyle, and time spent in Europe, particularly in Germany.
His opulent lifestyle has been seen as inappropriate for a monarch.
How has King Maha Vajiralongkorn been involved in Thai politics?
Vajiralongkorn has sought to re-establish royal crisis powers, granting him the ability to impose executive and legislative vetoes and the right to dissolve the parliament.
His political involvement has been seen as an obstacle in building a political consensus in Thailand.
What is the relationship between King Maha Vajiralongkorn and social media?
He has been the subject of intense scrutiny on social media, with calls for reforms to the monarchy and questions about the relevance of the institution in modern Thailand.
What is the significance of the crop top controversy?
Vajiralongkorn has been photographed wearing crop tops in Germany, which has caused controversy in Thailand.
The crop tops have become a symbol of protest against the monarchy.
What is the impact of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s controversies on the Thai monarchy?
Vajiralongkorn’s controversies have significantly impacted his public image and the perception of the monarchy in Thailand, with ongoing debate and scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
What are the implications of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s political ambition?
His assertion of power has come at a time when Thailand has been grappling with political divisions and a protracted crisis, with the monarchy competing and allying itself with politicians in wielding political power.
How has King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s reign been marked by his relationship with the Thai government?
Vajiralongkorn’s political career has been characterized by a significant shift in the monarchy’s role in Thai politics, with a more direct and assertive involvement in political affairs.