BANGKOK. The estranged son of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, made an unexpected return to the country after 27 years of living abroad. His surprise return was revealed in an online video, showing him being warmly greeted by well-wishers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Vacharaesorn’s return comes during a sensitive time for the Thai royal family, as the eldest daughter of the king has been in a coma since December.
The 42-year-old, who works at a law firm in New York, is the second son of King Vajiralongkorn with his former wife Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, a former actress. They divorced in 1996, and Sujarinee and her children moved abroad. The youngest daughter was taken back by the royal family and given the title Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, but the four sons, including Vacharaesorn, remain estranged without any formal royal titles.
The Palace has not commented on his visit. During his return, Vacharaesorn visited a daycare center for underprivileged children in Bangkok and donated money to support their work. He interacted thoughtfully with the children and showed great interest in the foundation’s efforts to help underprivileged families.
After his arrival, Vacharaesorn was seen visiting religious sites in Bangkok, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and shared a photo on his Facebook account of himself on an auto-rickshaw at night with the caption “Bangkok Tuk-Tuk.”
King Vajiralongkorn, 71, has been married four times and has seven children, but he has not yet named an official heir. His fourth marriage to Queen Suthida was announced shortly before his coronation in 2019. He ascended to the throne after the passing of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2016.
In December, the Palace disclosed that Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, 44, collapsed due to heart arrhythmia and was later diagnosed with a mycoplasma infection. She has been unconscious and on life support since, as per the Palace’s latest statement on her condition in January.
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