Vajiralongkorn (born 28 July 1952), also known by his regnal name Rama X, is King of Thailand, reigning since 2016. He is the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty, succeeding his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).
The only son of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, Vajiralongkorn was educated in Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Australia, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He served as an officer in the Royal Thai Army, training with British, Australian, and United States armed forces, and qualified as a military fast-jet and commercial airline pilot. He saw active combat against the Communist Party of Thailand during the 1970s. Designated crown prince in 1972, he assumed the throne following his father's death on 13 October 2016, requesting a brief delay before his formal proclamation on 1 December 2016. His coronation took place from 4 to 6 May 2019.
Vajiralongkorn's reign has seen a marked centralisation of royal power and personal wealth. Shortly after ascending the throne, he requested changes to the draft 2017 Constitution of Thailand regarding royal prerogatives, took direct ownership of the vast assets managed by the Crown Property Bureau, and brought key military and security units under direct royal command. His political interventions, extensive residence in Germany during his early reign, and lifestyle generated significant domestic and international media attention. These factors contributed to the 2020–2021 Thai protests, which saw unprecedented public scrutiny of the monarchy and widespread calls to reform the institution and loosen Thailand's strict lèse-majesté laws.
Vajiralongkorn has been married five times and has seven children, including Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, the heir presumptive. He is the wealthiest monarch in the world, with an estimated net worth between and .
Early life and education Vajiralongkorn was born on 28 July 1952 at 17:45ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง ให้หยุดราชการและชักธงชาติเนื่องในการที่พระราชกุมารประสูติ , เล่ม 69, ตอนที่ 49, 12 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2495, หน้า 2434 in the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall of the Dusit Palace in Bangkok.
Vajiralongkorn began his education in 1956 when he entered kindergarten at the Chitralada School in Dusit Palace. After completing Mathayom 1 (grade seven), he was educated at private schools in the United Kingdom, first at King's Mead prep school, Seaford, Sussex, and later 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.
University
In 1972, 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 military studies. That year, he also spent time training with the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth.
In 1982, he completed a second bachelor's degree in law, with second-class honors at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
Heir apparent and social interest Vajiralongkorn 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.
Short-term monastic life On 6 November 1978, at the age of 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".
Military training and career
After completing his studies, Vajiralongkorn served as 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.สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว ร.๑๐ ทรงพระปรีชาการทหาร/ In 1992 he became Commander of 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 the 80th birthday of his father.
Medical and health care 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.
Agricultural development
Also interested in agricultural development, Vajiralongkorn has accepted 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 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 the reign of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, Vajiralongkorn represented 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 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 cultivars, and the King has continued patronage of the royal rice varieties competition, the tradition of his ancestor Chulalongkorn.
Focus on education Vajiralongkorn has initiated education projects to improve children's access to quality learning and instill 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 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.
Sport interest
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 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 the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Australia. He shares his love of the sport with his father.
Residence 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. As king, Vajiralongkorn requested and received changes to the constitution to end the requirement that he appoint a regent when he 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 for 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 had been told multiple times that Germany opposes "having guests in our country who run their state affairs from here." Thai officials said that the prime minister was responsible for government matters, while the king was in Germany for personal reasons.
Reign Accession
After the death of Bhumibol Adulyadej on 13 October 2016, Vajiralongkorn was expected to succeed to the throne of Thailand, as the cabinet had instructed the president of the National Assembly to invite him to becoming king under the 2007 Constitution. Vajiralongkorn asked for time to mourn before formally 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 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." Vajiralongkorn became the first monarch to be born in Thailand since his great-uncle Prajadhipok died in 1935. 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.Shawn W. Crispin, How stable is post-cremation Thailand? , Asia Times (6 December 2017). Currently, his main residence is Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, with the king having moved from Nonthaburi Palace in 2011.
Appointment of members of the privy council
Following the resignation of the councillors to Bhumibol Adulyadej, Vajiralongkorn appointed 10 members of 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 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.
Direct political interference