Vajiralongkorn, Crown Prince of Thailand

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (born July 28, 1952) is the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King (Rama IX) of Thailand, and Queen Sirikit. He was given the title Somdech Phra Boroma Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman by the King on 28th December 1972, making him the Crown Prince and heir to the throne (the suffix Sayam Makutrajakuman in his title is the official title for the Crown Prince in Thailand).

Adult Life

The Prince undertook military training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra, Australia, and also completed an arts degree at Sukhothai Thammatirat University in Bangkok. From 1975 he has served as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army. He served as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence, and in 1978 he became head of the King's Own Bodyguard Battalion. In that year, however, he interrupted his military career to be ordained for a term as a Buddhist monk, as is customary for all Thai Buddhist males.

Related Topics:
Royal Military College, Duntroon - Canberra - Sukhothai Thammatirat University - 1975 - 1978 - Buddhist - Monk

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Vajiralongkorn trained for periods with the United States, British and Australian armies, studying special forces demolition, unconventional warfare tactics and advance navigation training. He is a qualified military pilot and helicopter pilot. Although a military career is conventional for royal princes, Vajiralongkorn is unique in having taken part in military actions inside his own country. During the 1970s he led counter-insurgency campaigns against the forces of the Communist Party of Thailand in the North and Northeast of Thailand, and also took part in operations along the border with Cambodia during the years of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Related Topics:
Communist Party of Thailand - Cambodia - Khmer Rouge

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