Vajiralongkorn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vajiralongkorn
King Rama X
Formal portrait, 2017
King of Thailand
Reign	13 October 2016 – present
Coronation	4 May 2019
Predecessor	Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Heir presumptive	Dipangkorn Rasmijoti
Born	(1952-07-28) 28 July 1952 (age 72) 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)​
Issue Detail	Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra Juthavachara Vivacharawongse Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse Chakriwat Vivacharawongse Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse Princess Sirivannavari Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti
Full name Phrabat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Ramathibodi Sisinthara Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Wachiraklao Chao Yu Hua
House	Mahidol (Chakri dynasty)
Father	Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Mother	Sirikit Kitiyakara
Religion	Theravada Buddhism
Signature
Military career
Allegiance	Kingdom of Thailand
Branch	Royal Thai Army Royal Security Command
Years of service	1977–present
Commands held	4th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment Royal Security Command

Vajiralongkorn (born 28 July 1952) is the current King of Thailand. He became king in 2016. He is the tenth ruler of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty, known as Rama X.

He is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit. In 1972, at age 20, his father named him crown prince. After his father passed away on 13 October 2016, he was expected to become king. He asked for time to mourn before taking the throne.

He accepted the throne on 1 December 2016. His coronation happened from 4–6 May 2019. The Thai government said his reign officially began on 13 October 2016. At 64, Vajiralongkorn was the oldest Thai monarch to become king. He is considered the wealthiest monarch in the world.

Early Life and Education

The Royal Family, 1966. Vajiralongkorn stands at far right.

Vajiralongkorn was born on 28 July 1952 in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. He has three sisters.

He started school in 1956 at Chitralada School in Bangkok. After grade seven, he went to schools in the United Kingdom. He studied at King's Mead in Seaford and then at Millfield School. He finished high school in July 1970. In August 1970, he took a five-week military course in Sydney, Australia.

In 1972, the prince joined the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Australia. He studied military training and a bachelor's degree. He graduated in 1976 with a liberal arts degree. In 1982, he earned a second degree in law.

Becoming Crown Prince and Public Service

Vajiralongkorn was named crown prince on 28 December 1972. This made him the third crown prince of the Chakri dynasty.

Short Time as a Monk

On 6 November 1978, at age 26, the prince became a monk. This is a tradition for royals. He stayed at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara for 15 days. His monk name was "Vajiralongkornno".

Military Training and Career

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

Vajiralongkorn with Nilde Iotti in 1985

After his studies, Vajiralongkorn became an officer in the Royal Thai Army. He worked in army intelligence. He also attended military college in 1977. He became a commander in the 1st Infantry Regiment in 1980. In 1992, he became Commander of the Royal Security Command.

He is a skilled military pilot. He can fly planes like the Northrop F-5, F-16, and Boeing 737-400. As his father got older, Vajiralongkorn took part in more royal events. He opened the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.

Supporting Healthcare

Vajiralongkorn started "Crown Prince Hospitals." These hospitals were built with public donations. They provide medical care in faraway areas. In 1977, 21 such hospitals were set up. By 2011, they became big community hospitals. They offer good services to everyone.

Helping Farmers

Vajiralongkorn (right) with his mother, Queen Sirikit, in 1991

US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz (right) escorts Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn through an honor cordon and into the Pentagon on 12 June 2003

Vajiralongkorn also cares about farming. He supports the "Mobile Agricultural Clinic Project." This project helps farmers quickly. Experts give advice on plants, animals, and land. They help farmers solve problems and use new farming methods.

These mobile teams can go to different places that need help. They provide technical services and new technology. This project helps farmers learn about new ways to farm.

He also leads the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony. This event is important for Thai farmers. It shows the start of the farming season. He believes good farming helps farmers live better lives. Since becoming King, he has continued this tradition.

After his coronation, five new types of rice were released. The king also supports a royal rice competition. This continues a tradition from his ancestor Chulalongkorn.

Focus on Education

Vajiralongkorn has started projects to improve education. He wants children to have good learning chances. He also wants them to learn throughout their lives. He has a special connection to the Rajabhat University system. This system has 40 colleges.

The head of the Rajabhat University Council said that Vajiralongkorn has attended graduation ceremonies at all Rajabhat Universities since 1978. He has personally given degrees to over 2.1 million graduates. He also gives 42 million baht each year for scholarships. These scholarships help Rajabhat students.

Interest in Sports

Vajiralongkorn during Bike for Mom, royal cycle rallies in 2015

Vajiralongkorn was once called the "Football Prince." He is also known for his love of cycling. He has been interested in sports since he was young. He learned horseback riding at age 11. He played football, rugby, and rowed with friends.

He also sailed with his father, King Bhumibol. In football, he played as a forward and later as a center-back. He shares his love for the sport with his father.

Royal Residence

Vajiralongkorn often lives in Bavaria, Germany. His son, Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, goes to school there. The King asked for changes to the constitution. This allowed him to not appoint a regent when he is away from Thailand. His main home in Thailand is Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall.

Reign as King

Becoming King and Coronation

Portrait of King Vajiralongkorn, EmQuartier, 2017

After his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, passed away in 2016, Vajiralongkorn was invited to become king. He is the first monarch born in Thailand since 1935. He accepted the throne on 1 December 2016. He said he accepted to honor his father's wishes and for the good of all Thais. His reign officially began on his father's death date. His formal coronation happened after his father's cremation.

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

Vajiralongkorn's coronation ceremonies took place from 4 to 6 May 2019. The event cost about one billion baht. Around 150,000 people came to Sanam Luang for the coronation.

Privy Council Appointments

The King appointed 10 members to the Privy Council. This council advises the King. Prem Tinsulanonda was re-appointed as the president of the Privy Council. Over time, new members were added to the council.

Royal Family and Politics

The coronation of King Rama X B.E. 2562 (A.D. 2019)

In January 2017, Thailand's parliament voted to change the constitution. This allowed changes suggested by the King's office. The new constitution was approved in a referendum in 2016. King Vajiralongkorn approved it on 6 April 2017.

In February 2019, the King's elder sister, Ubol Ratana, announced she would run for prime minister. The King then issued a strong statement. He said her running for prime minister was "inappropriate" and "unconstitutional." The Election Commission of Thailand then stopped her from running. Her political party was later banned.

Vajiralongkorn has direct control over the royal household and palace security.

Personal Life

Monarchs of the Chakri dynasty
	Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I)
	Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II)
	Nangklao (Rama III)
	Mongkut (Rama IV)
	Chulalongkorn (Rama V)
	Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
	Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
	Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)
	Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
	Vajiralongkorn (Rama X)
v t e

Marriages and Children

Soamsawali Kitiyakara

On 3 January 1977, Vajiralongkorn married Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara. She was his first cousin. They had one daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, born in December 1978. Vajiralongkorn later sought a divorce, which was finalized in July 1993.

Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (Yuvadhida Polpraserth)

Vajiralongkorn had five children with Yuvadhida Polpraserth. Their first son, Prince Juthavachara Mahidol, was born in 1979. They married in February 1994. After their marriage, she was known as Mom Sujarinee Mahidol na Ayudhaya. She also became a major in the Royal Thai Army. Later, she and her sons lost their royal titles. Sujarinee and her sons moved to the United States.

Srirasmi Suwadee

Vajiralongkorn married for a third time on 10 February 2001. He married Srirasmi Suwadee, who had worked for him since 1992. This marriage was not made public until 2005. She gave birth to a son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, on 29 April 2005. She was then made a princess.

In November 2014, Vajiralongkorn asked for Srirasmi's family to lose their royal name. This was due to issues involving some of her relatives. The next month, Srirasmi gave up her royal titles and name. She officially divorced Vajiralongkorn.

Suthida Tidjai

On 1 May 2019, Vajiralongkorn married Suthida Tidjai. She was the former acting commander of the Royal Thai Aide-de-Camp Department. Suthida became the queen consort of King Vajiralongkorn. Their marriage happened three days before his coronation.

Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi

On 28 July 2019, Vajiralongkorn gave the title of "Chao Khun Phra" or Royal Noble Consort to Major General Niramon Ounprom. This was the first time in nearly a century a secondary consort was officially named. Three months later, on 21 October 2019, a palace order removed Sineenat's title and ranks. It stated she had been disrespectful to Queen Suthida and disloyal to the king. On 2 September 2020, Sineenat's titles were given back. A declaration said she "is not tarnished."

Children

Honours and Awards

Styles of King Vajiralongkorn Rama X of Thailand
Reference style	His Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty

Royal Monogram of King Vajiralongkorn

as Crown Prince

as King

Military Ranks

• General, Admiral and Air Chief Marshal

Volunteer Defense Corps Rank

• Volunteer Defense Corps General

Awards from Other Countries

•  Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant (2001)
•  Malaysia: Honorary Grand Commander of the Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm (2000)
•  North Korea: First Class of the Order of the National Flag (1992)
•  Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (1993)
•  Portugal: Grand Cross of the Military Order of Aviz (1981)
•  Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (1987)

Medals and Ribbons

The ribbons Vajiralongkorn wears on his uniform include:

See Also

In Spanish: Maha Vajiralongkorn para niños