Royal Biography
The Royal Birth
As dusk was falling on 28 July 1952 (B.E. 2495) at 17.45, the people of the Kingdom of Thailand rejoiced at the birth of a prince to the dynastic throne.
The Royal Study Abroad
Since his young age, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun
had been aware of his royal duties as heir apparent.
This could clearly be seen from his farewell speech,
broadcasted to Thai people prior to his departure for the United Kingdom,
on 6 January 1966 (B.E. 2509), in order to further his study at the age of
fourteen.
While His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was receiving military training in Australia at the age of twenty,
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej bestowed on His Royal Highness
Prince Vajiralongkorn the title of:
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, on 28 December 1972 (B.E. 2515). His Royal Highness Crown Prince,
the third crown prince of the Kingdom of Thailand, was officially decreed as heir to the throne with the name written in the Supannabhat inscription as:
“ Somdet Phra Boromma-orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun Sirikittayasombunsawangwat Worakhuttiyarajsantiwong Mahitalaphong Adulayadej Chakkrinaresyuppharajvisut Sayammakutratchakuman ”
On that auspicious occasion, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn took an oath of allegiance in “Pipat Sattaya” - royal water holding ritual- held in the hall of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). This showed his determination to devote his life to royal duties, the country, and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand as stated that:
“...I take an oath of allegiance to the nation, the people of Thailand, the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, the Buddha Mahamanee Rattana Patimakorn before this assembly that: I, Crown Prince, will retain honor and title, granted and styled by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as precious as my life. I will be loyal to the country and ensure act of integrity to the people. I will perform my duties to the best of my intelligence and ability, together with devotion, for the peace and prosperity of Thailand until the very last moment of my life…”
The Royal Duties
After graduating from the Royal Military College of Duntroon in Canberra, Australia,
Somdech Phra Boromma-Orasadhiraj Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makut Rajakuman
or
Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (his title at the time) joined the military on 9 January 1975 (B.E. 2518),
as an officer with the Royal Thai Army’s Intelligence Department.
On 6 October 1978 (B.E.2521)
He was appointed as deputy commander of the King’s Royal Guards Battalion of the First Infantry Regiment.
On 28 November 1980 (B.E.2523)
He was promoted to become the battalion commander.
On 13 February 1984 (B.E. 2527)
He became commander of the Royal Guards Regiment.
On 30 July 1988 (B.E. 2531)
He was appointed as the chief commander of Royal Bodyguards Unit.
On 9 January 1992 (B.E. 2535)
He became the chief commander of the Royal Guards Command,
which is part of the Armed Forces Supreme Command.
Following
the Royal Footsteps
Since he was very young, His Majesty the King,
has been engaging in royal duties by travelling
with His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
King Rama X of the Kingdom of Thailand
On 1 December 2016 (B.E. 2559),
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (title at the time)
accepted an invitation to ascend the throne and became the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty
by stating that:
