The reign of Rama X begins but Thailand’s new king appears destined to remain in his father’s shadow
New king faces challenge of sustaining a constitutional monarchy in a politically troubled land while seeking to earn the same respect his father had
Rama X – who also was given the formal title “His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarankun” on Thursday – had been the heir apparent since 1972, when King Bhumibol Adulyadej named him as his successor. Bhumibol died on October 13 at age 88 after years of ill health.
When you are born into this position you have to accept it. Some people like me, some people don’t like me
Now the 64-year-old Vajiralongkorn, the second child and only son of Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, faces the challenge of sustaining a constitutional monarchy in a politically troubled land – led by the military since 2014 – while seeking to earn the same respect his hard-working father had.
The public has long speculated about Vajiralongkorn’s finances, hot temper and other matters. Three failed marriages are a matter of public record.
“When you are born into this position you have to accept it,” he told the women’s magazine Dichan in a rare interview in 1987. “Some people like me, some people don’t like me. It’s their right ... Wherever you go there is gossip. If you are busy with gossip you don’t have to work.”
As crown prince and now as king, Vajiralongkorn has been protected by a Thai law mandating a prison term of three to 15 years for anyone found guilty of the loosely defined crime of insulting the monarchy. Prosecutions under the lèse-majesté law, and blocking of internet sites deemed insulting to the royal family, have grown more common in recent years.