The second of King Vajiralongkorn’s four estranged sons is Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse. Up to this point, it was generally accepted that they had lost their royal position and had no right to be in the line of succession.
The most likely heir, the king’s eldest daughter Princess Bajrakitiyabha, fell last December, however, and this complicated the succession. She is still unconscious, and it seems unlikely that she will awaken.
Thailand has been quietly discussing the possibility of bringing one of the estranged sons back to serve in a royal capacity for many years.
Although there has been no official announcement from the palace, Mr. Vacharaesorn’s unscheduled visit might mark the beginning of such a rehabilitation.
King Vajiralongkorn’s second wife Sujiranee, an ex-actress from whom he divorced in 1996, gave birth to five children, including him.Essentially exiled from Thailand along with their mother, Mr. Vacharaesorn and his three brothers—who were enrolled in school in the UK at the time—have resided in the US ever since. Princess Sirivanavari, his sister, was brought to live with her father in Thailand.
The four boys had occasionally released letters in the past pleading for their father’s forgiveness and permission to go back to Thailand, but it had no impact.
Primarily as a tourist Mr. Vacharaesorn has spent his first three days in Bangkok , exploring the city, traveling by tuk-tuk, seeing temples, and eating Thai cuisine. He told reporters that returning was like realizing a dream for him.
However, he has also attended what appear to be official events, including meetings with the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist Sangha, who is chosen by his father, and a visit to a daycare center supported by the royal family.
This will be seen by many Thai people as demonstrating his capacity for royal duties.
He has been the most outspoken of the four sons back in the US, being very involved in the Thai community and publicly supporting the Thai monarchy.He seems to be the one most qualified for and eager to take on a more prominent role in the royal family.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was regarded as the most accomplished of the king’s children alive in Thailand until her collapse last year. She is a lawyer who served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria and worked for the UN.
Prince Dipangkorn, the King’s 18-year-old youngest child, is thought to have certain learning disabilities, and it was commonly expected that Princess Bajrakitiyabha would serve as regent or potentially succeed her father as queen when he passed away.
King Vajiralongkorn has not yet named a successor in accordance with Thai succession legislation, which gives the monarch the power to do so.
Could Mr. Vacharaesorn, a well-known and successful person in the US, fill the position? It is far too early to predict.
It is more likely that this will be viewed as an exploratory first visit, with follow-up trips to observe how he handles the spotlight, the strict protocol, and occasionally byzantine politics of Thailand’s royal court.
Furthermore, it is impossible to know King Vajiralongkorn’s opinion on the matter.
People in his inner circle have a reputation for slipping in and out of favor abruptly, occasionally vanishng from public view.
Whoever planned this wayward son’s return will be exercising appropriate care.
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