Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn has stripped his royal consort, Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, of her rank and royal titles after she was reportedly accused of plotting against the Queen.
Wongvajirapakdi, 34, is said to be one of the King’s long-term girlfriends. In July, she was given the title of Royal Noble Consort. But now, according to a palace statement, she has been stripped of her royal and military rank for 'disloyalty.'
King Vajiralongkorn has accused her of attempting to elevate herself to the same rank as his wife Queen Suthida. Criticizing or insulting the Queen is a crime under Thai law and can carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Who is Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi?
Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was the first person to receive the title of Royal Noble Consort since 1921. It was the first time the title was handed down in almost a century as most of the Kings since have been monogamous.
The appointment came two months after the King married Queen Suthida, who is his fourth wife. Sineenat was given the title during a televised broadcast of the King’s birthday.
She was previously an army nurse, a major-general and she’s also a trained pilot. In August, official photos were released showing her firing an assault rifle and piloting a helicopter in a camouflage sports bra. After Thailand’s Royal Household Bureau released more than 60 photos showing the King and his consort, the website crashed.
According to her official royal biography, she was born on January 26, 1985 and graduated from Army Nursing College in 2008. She’s also completed several military courses, including jungle warfare, combat and night parachuting.
Who is Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya?
Queen Suthida, 41, is a former flight attendant. She was deputy commander of the King’s bodyguard unit and was his long-term partner before they wed, making frequent public appearances with him.
Queen Suthida was born June 3, 1978 as Suthida Tidjai. She graduated from Assumption University, a private university in Bangkok, in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts.
Many people in Thailand were said to be surprised by their marriage as the King had never acknowledged a personal relationship with her.
Who is King Vajiralongkorn?
King Vajiralongkorn, 67, was educated in Bangkok. At 13, he attended private school in the UK for the next five years, followed by a final year of school in Australia. He was then trained at the Royal Military College in Duntroon.
He’s a trained fighter pilot and often flies his own Boeing 737 when he travels overseas. He was given the Crown Prince title in 1972, making him the official heir - but his behavior was questioned by some, including his mother, Queen Sikrit, who reportedly called him a “Don Juan.” He was previously married three times.
His first wife was his cousin, Princess Soamsawali, who he shares on daughter with. He married an actress named Yuvadhida and they had five children together, but in 1996 he denounced her and disowned her and their four sons. His third wife was his lady-in-waiting Srirasmi, who he shares a son with. In 2014, he stripped her of his royal title and accused her of using her connections with him to get ahead.
He often gives out titles and takes them away. He once promoted his pet poodle, Fu-Fu, to the rank of Air Chief Marshall.
