Today, let’s delve into the captivating world of royalty and explore a fascinating figure. We’re turning our attention towards the East, to a vibrant country known as the “Land of Smiles”, Thailand. Our subject today is none other than His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the tenth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty and the current reigning King of Thailand.
Net Worth: $30 Billion
Salary: –
Date of Birth: Jul 28, 1952
Place of Birth: Dusit Palace, Bangkok
Gender: Male
Profession: King of Thailand
Maha Vajiralongkorn Early Life
Born on July 28, 1952, Maha Vajiralongkorn is the only son of the beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. He was named Vajiralongkorn Borommachakkrayadisonsantatiwong Thewetthamrongsuboriban Aphikhunuprakanmahittaladunladet Phumiphonnaretwarangkun Kittisirisombunsawangkhawat Borommakhattiyaratchakuman. A mouthful, right? Well, thankfully, we’ll stick to Maha Vajiralongkorn for this blog post!
Vajiralongkorn’s early life was characterized by a robust education fit for a prince. After finishing his early schooling in Thailand, he was sent to the UK for his secondary education at King’s Mead School and Millfield School. Post that, he attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Canberra, Australia, from where he graduated as a newly commissioned lieutenant in 1976.
Being a military man runs in Vajiralongkorn’s veins. He qualified as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Thai Army in 1978, in the US, and also trained with British, Australian, and US armed services.
Maha Vajiralongkorn Personal Life
Navigating the personal life of King Maha Vajiralongkorn can feel like unraveling a complicated tapestry, rich in hues of controversy, intrigue, and tradition. The King has been married four times and has seven children from these relationships.
His first marriage was to his cousin, Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara, in 1977. The couple had a daughter, but their marriage ended in 1991. Even while still married to Princess Soamsawali, Vajiralongkorn had a son and five daughters with Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, who he later disowned. He subsequently married his son’s mother but divorced her in 1996. His third wife was Srirasmi Suwadee, with whom he has one son. This marriage ended in 2014, and Srirasmi relinquished her royal titles. In 2019, Vajiralongkorn married Suthida Tidjai, a former flight attendant and deputy commander of his bodyguard unit.
Maha Vajiralongkorn Career
While many know Maha Vajiralongkorn as a King, he had quite a distinguished career in the military before his ascension to the throne. After his education in the United Kingdom and Australia, he joined the Royal Thai Army. His military career spans several decades, during which he was trained in counter-insurgency, demolition, and unconventional warfare, and even earned his wings as a qualified pilot in the US, Thailand, and the UK.
The King is a qualified military and civilian pilot, having received his military pilot’s wings in 1978 and civilian pilot’s license in 1994. He has flown various aircraft, including the Northrop F-5, F-16, and the Boeing 737.
Vajiralongkorn has also had a longstanding relationship with the 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen’s Guard. He served as the 21st Infantry Regiment’s head, often seen biking with his bodyguard entourage through the streets of Bangkok, fostering a unique connection with the people of his country.
When his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, passed away in October 2016, Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed king. His coronation was held in May 2019, a grand affair steeped in ancient Buddhist and Hindu rituals, reflecting the deep spiritual connection of the monarchy with Thai culture and history.
Since his ascension to the throne, Vajiralongkorn’s reign has been marked by significant changes to the royal prerogative, including consolidating his control over royal institutions and the wealth of the Crown Property Bureau. His reign has seen an era of increased royal authority, reflecting his strong and assertive leadership style.
Maha Vajiralongkorn Net Worth
Now, let’s get down to one of the most intriguing aspects of any monarchy – wealth. As of 2023, King Maha Vajiralongkorn is believed to be one of the wealthiest monarchs globally, with a net worth that can make even the wealthiest of billionaires blush. According to Forbes, his wealth was estimated to be around $30 billion in 2023. However, it’s important to note that these figures are estimates, as the Thai royal family’s wealth is closely guarded and not publicly disclosed.
Most of the King’s wealth comes from the Crown Property Bureau (CPB), which manages the property of the monarchy of Thailand. The CPB’s assets include significant real estate in central Bangkok and shares in several significant Thai companies. In 2017, in a move that surprised many, King Maha Vajiralongkorn assumed personal control over the CPB, which considerably enhanced his financial power.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s lifestyle is often a topic of conversation among Thai citizens and international onlookers. He splits his time between Germany and Thailand, with his private Boeing 737 being a testament to his lavish lifestyle. Despite criticism, he has continued to maintain a style befitting his royal status, inextricably linked to the vast wealth he commands.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s life is a compelling saga of royalty in the modern age, marked by tradition and opulence, responsibility, and power. He has not only inherited his father’s throne but also the complexities and challenges that come with being a monarch in the 21st century. One thing is for sure – his reign and lifestyle will continue to draw the eyes of the world, filled with a mix of awe, intrigue, and endless fascination.
