Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse was a teenager when he was exiled from Thailand along with his three siblings after his mother was accused of adultery and divorced from his father – the then Crown Prince and current King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The children then studied in the UK, but moved to the US. Today, 42 years old, he is a lawyer in New York. But this week, by surprise, 27 years after his departure, Vacharaesorn returned to Bangkok for the first time, sparking rumors of a possible rapprochement with his father for the future of the monarchy.
“I’ve been gone for a long time, 27 years. It’s a dream to be back. When I looked out the window of the plane before landing, I was enchanted”Vacharaeorn told reporters. “Although I was abroad for a long time, I never forgot that I am Thai. I never forgot how important our culture is”, added. His return home was on Sunday, and on Monday he took the opportunity to go sightseeing – he published a photo in a tuk-tuk on social networks – but on Tuesday he took part in an event at a nursery for families with economic problems which is sponsored by the real family.
There was no response from the palace to the presence of Vacharaesorn, who is officially untitled. At the age of 42, he is the second of four children from King Vajiralongkorn’s second marriage to former actress Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (1994-1997) – the couple, who began their relationship while he was still married to his first wife (1977-1991 ), also had a daughter. She would eventually return to the bosom of the royal family and receive the title of princess.
In the US, Vacharaesorn is the most active of the four brothers disinherited by their father, as he regularly attends events for the country’s Thai community. Hence, there are rumors that this return to Thailand – it’s not clear for how long – is a first step towards one day taking on an official role. Particularly because of the crisis in the monarchy.
King Vajiralongkorn, aka Rama X, 71, ascended the throne in 2016 after the death of his father. Days before the coronation in 2019, he married his former bodyguard, Suthida Tidjai, in what was his fourth marriage. He has a total of seven children, but has never named an heir. All eyes were on his eldest daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, 44, the result of the monarch’s first marriage to cousin Soamsawali Kitiyakara. But she has been in a coma since December due to heart problems.
The youngest son, 18 years old, is the result of his third marriage to commoner Srirasmi Suwadee (2001-2014). As the only male child recognized by the king, he is seen as heir to the throne – especially after his half-sister falls ill. But he is rumored to have developmental issues, further jeopardizing the royal family’s future.
Protests and political crisis
In August 2020, thousands of young people took to the streets to defend the reform of the monarchy, since the cut of the royal budget – notably because of the controversies surrounding Rama X’s mistresses or the lavish parties he threw for his dogs – the revision of the laws against majesty. These are among the strictest in the world and prohibit any “slander, insult or threat” directed at the monarch and his family, under penalty of between 3 and 15 years in prison.
The protest movement lost momentum when its leaders were arrested, but some of its demands entered the political discourse. In the last parliamentary elections, the victory belonged to the progressives of Pita Limjaroenrat’s Avançar party – who defend precisely the amendment of the lese-majeste laws.
But the prime minister is elected by deputies and senators, and those linked to the military and the current head of government, General Prayuth Chan-ocha (leader of the 2014 coup, who was elected in 2019), fought against Limjaroenrat’s election. The country remains stuck after two failed attempts to elect it, despite an eight-party coalition winning the votes of 312 of the 500 deputies. The problem is in the Senate, appointed by the previous military government.
This week, the populist Pheu Thai Party (affiliated with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and runner-up in elections) announced an alliance with the conservative Bhumjaithai Party. One of the terms of the alliance is that Pheu Thai, who previously supported Limjaroenrat, drops his promise to review lesa majesty’s laws. The two parties have 212 deputies and said they will seek more support to try to unblock the political situation. No date has yet been set for the next vote.
Source: DN
