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A large portion of his wealth comes from his real estate portfolio, which encompasses more than 6,560 hectares (65.6 square kilometers) of prime land and over 40,000 rental agreements with developers across Thailand.
His property holdings in Bangkok alone are valued at over $30 billion, according to Fortune magazine.
He owns more than 23% of Siam Commercial Bank, a leading financial institution in Thailand, as well as an over 33% stake in the nation’s largest industrial conglomerate Siam Cement Group. Combined, these holdings are estimated to be worth around $9 billion.
He also reportedly owns 38 aircraft, 300 high-end vehicles, over 50 boats, and a vast array of diamonds and gemstones, according to The Financial Express.
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Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida arrive to attend Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain, May 6, 2023. Photo by Reuters |
Vajiralongkorn, whose name translates to "adorned with jewels or thunderbolts," was born in Bangkok on July 28, 1952, to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara.
His father, who ruled Thailand for 70 years, was recognized by Forbes as the world’s richest monarch for multiple years.
Vajiralongkorn, the only son among four siblings, was declared crown prince in 1972 after his eldest sister relinquished her claim to the throne.
He received his primary education in Thailand before attending prestigious schools in Britain and Australia. He studied at the Royal Military College Duntroon in Australia and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in military studies from the University of New South Wales in 1976.
He returned to Thailand and pursued a career as an officer in the Royal Thai Army before attending several training courses, many of which focused on aircraft.
He is a qualified helicopter and fighter pilot, The Economic Times reported, citing his official biography.
He ascended the throne following his father’s passing in 2016, but his official coronation was delayed to allow the nation to mourn the late king, who was widely loved and respected.
He was crowned King of Thailand in May 2019, with coronation ceremonies spanning three days and costing $31 million, according to CNN.
The king is known to be passionate about sports cars and owns a Boeing 737 that he regularly flies, The Guardian reported. He is also an avid cyclist and has once closed streets in Bangkok for a 39-kilometer cycling event.
King Vajiralongkorn has also garnered public attention for his controversial love life. He married his first wife, Soamsawali Kitiyakara, his first cousin on his mother’s side, in 1977, as reported by France24.
He was known to have a mistress, actress Yuvadhida Polpraserth, in the late 1980s. After a lengthy divorce from his first wife, he married Yuvadhida in 1994, with her adopting the name Sujarinee Vivacharawongse.
However, Yuvadhida relocated to the U.K. with their five children two years later, prompting King Vajiralongkorn to take their daughter back to Thailand and strip his second wife and their four sons of their royal titles and diplomatic passports.
He married Srirasmi Suwadee in 2001, but they divorced in 2014. Since then, he has been romantically involved with his current wife, Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, whom he married in 2019.
Even his mother, Sirikit, made a comment on his love life, saying in a 1981 interview: "He is a good student, a good boy, but women find him interesting and he finds women even more interesting. So his family life is not so smooth."
The Thai king is also known for his affection for dogs, controversially appointing his pet poodle, Foo Foo, as an air chief marshal. A four-day funeral with full Buddhist rites was held for the poodle when it died in 2016.
King Vajiralongkorn marked his 72nd birthday last month with a parade at Bangkok's Royal Plaza, AP reported. Though his birthday falls on July 28, the celebration took place around the same time as his father’s birthday.
He also ushered in the new year with a live televised message to his people on Tuesday, wishing them a good year ahead, as reported by Thai newspaper The Nation.
"There is always happiness and sadness in our lives. But if we work together and do our duties as best as we can, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and live a happy and prosperous life," he said.
