Thailand’s crown prince poised to ascend throne, dashing hopes of those who favour his sister
In recent months, the country’s military leaders have appeared keen to burnish the reputation of Maha Vajiralongkorn
They call her “Phra Thep” – Princess Angel. The most popular of the late Thai king’s children, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has built a reputation as a hardworking and down-to-earth royal. And although Thailand’s military rulers keep a tight lid on palace politics, many in the country had quietly hoped that she might one day succeed their beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Those hopes appeared to have been dashed on Tuesday when General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the prime minister and junta leader, said Sirindhorn’s scandal-plagued older brother could ascend to the throne in as little as two weeks.
We know the crown prince has enemies among the Thai establishment, but that’s the nature of politics everywhere
Prayuth surprised the nation last week when he announced that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, had asked for time to mourn before he became king. Just how long that might be was not spelled out, prompting speculation among some long-time observers about a behind-the-scenes power struggle.
“Citizens in Thailand and abroad should not be worried or concerned,” Prayuth told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. “After at least 15 days of mourning, it will be the appropriate time to enact Section 23 of the constitution.”
Like her father in his younger years, the 61-year-old Sirindhorn is often spotted, notebook in hand and a camera around her neck, inspecting rural development projects.
Vajiralongkorn, however, has shown little interest in the public duties expected of a monarch. A jet-setter once described by his mother as “a little bit of a Don Juan”, he has divorced three times and spends much of the year in the German countryside.