Scandal, sex and crop tops: The scandal-plagued life of Playboy Prince Vajiralongkorn
THE next king of Thailand’s scandal-plagued playboy lifestyle could tear down his family’s dynasty. WARNING: Nudity.
A TERRIBLE, violent temper, three ex-wives, a strange penchant for poodles and an eclectic dress sense involving crop tops.
The next king of Thailand is notorious for his scandal-plagued playboy lifestyle and questionable taste in clothing.
The black sheep of the royal family, dubbed the “Playboy Prince”, is causing waves for all the wrong reasons.
As the King of Thailand lay indisposed in his hospital bed for more than two years, his son and heir to the throne had more important matters to attend to: luxury villas, a lavish European lifestyle, and even the appearance of a crop top seemed more important to a man whose salacious scandals far outweigh his achievements.
Since the death of Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the country has a growing anxiety over its fate, as evidence mounts that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s dirty deeds could end a dynasty that has been compared to that of the English royal family.
Prince Vajiralongkorn has spent much of his time lapping up a luxurious lifestyle in the mountains of southern Germany and Austria, using fast cars, women and a billion dollar empire to pass the time.
But that’s all about to change, as pressure mounts on the 64-year-old to ascend the throne, despite rumours he is deliberately delaying succession.
Despite his father being hailed for unifying a country riddled with political turmoil and class divisions, Thailand’s people see the Crown Prince lacking that same devotion and many question whether he’s up for the job.
The fact the coronation of Prince Vajiralongkorn will be delayed by one year in order for him to “mourn” is a key indication of the Prince’s path, despite his father’s succession taking a mere 24 hours.
His behaviour is rumour among many people in Thailand because of the country’s strict media censorship - including restrictions on coverage of the royal family.
STORY OF THE PLAYBOY PRINCE
Prince Vajiralongkorn’s sordid love story began in the 1970s when he wed his first wife (and cousin) Soamsawali Kitiyakara in an arranged marriage.
But all was not well in paradise; during the marriage the Prince engaged in a sordid love affair with an actor where he fathered five children out of wedlock.
The actor, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, would eventually become his second wife while Princess Soamsawali was relegated to smaller duties within the Royal Family.
After he forced his second wife into exile, Prince Vajiralongkorn met third wife Srirasmi Suwadee, who became famous for appearing naked at her husband’s prized poodle’s birthday party (more below).
Prince Vajiralongkorn has seven children from three wives, all of whom he wound up divorcing.
EVIL STREAK
Srirasmi: divorced and humiliated. Foo Foo: dead. Vajiralongkorn: Thailand's next king? pic.twitter.com/XMTyCi5igG
— Andrew MacG Marshall (@zenjournalist) February 4, 2015
Prince Vajiralongkorn’s marriage to Vivacharawongse collapsed in 1996 and she was driven out of the country, dubbed an adulterer and forced into exile in the United States.
So spiteful was the Prince, he posted a public notice at the Palace accusing his wife of infidelity with a soldier.
He then stripped four of his five children of their royal titles and diplomatic passports.
He sent letters to his children at their British boarding schools informing them he would no longer pay their tuition. They are now dubbed Thailand’s “exiled princes”.
He divorced third wife Suwadee in a blaze of thunder; sending her into exile to her home town, and stripped her family of their title.
Three of her siblings were sent to prison, along with her parents, for crimes against the monarchy. Her uncle Pongpat Chayapan, a high-ranking police officer, was convicted of shady business; running illegal casinos, oil smuggling, money laundering and so on.
In a sign of growing violence, her parents were thrown into prison under corruption charges.
She was later given a payout of $6 million.
HIS THIRD WIFE SERVED CREEPY CAKE NAKED AT DOG’S PARTY
Prince Vajiralongkorn’s personal life has left a trail of scorned women in its wake. But no doubt Vajiralongkorn’s third wife, Princess Srirasmi Suwadee, captured wearing nothing but a G-string in 2005, takes the cake. Quite literally.
As George Michael’s Careless Whisper echoes in the background, Princess Srirasmi appears topless, in a G-string, at a private party for the Prince’s beloved poodle, Foo Foo.
It’s bizarre film to watch, as Princess Srirasmi lights candles and cuts the cake with breasts laid bare. The prince later poses for a family photograph with his dog Foo Foo and wife — still topless.
The video, allegedly filmed in 2005, was released following a military coup in Thailand in 2007, in a bid to provoke questions over the Prince’s lavish lifestyle.
BIZARRE OBSESSION WITH PET POODLE
Foo Foo was so highly regarded by the Prince he was elevated to royal status.
Often seen dressed in formal attire, Foo Foo was given a military ranking, revealed by WikiLeaks documents posted in 2011.
Former head of the US embassy in Bangkok, Ralph Boyce, “confirmed that the Crown Prince’s miniature poodle, Foo Foo, currently holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal.”
Foo Foo died in 2015. So devastated was the Prince, he held a four-day memorial and funeral.
Tragic but true, @PaulHandley2, Foo Foo is finished. pic.twitter.com/L9iPvQerqz
— Andrew MacG Marshall (@zenjournalist) February 4, 2015
HE’S REALLY, REALLY, REALLY RICH
The Thai royal family is one of the richest dynasties in the world. Forget the luxurious European villas or the fancy sports cars; it comes a dime a dozen when your net worth is $30 billion.
Well, that was the estimated worth of his late father, King Bhumibol — and as the heir apparent, it looks like Prince Vajiralongkorn won’t be short of a dollar any time soon.
HE WEARS WEIRD CROP TOPS
It seems our royal-in-waiting has a penchant for ... crop tops. And sleeve tattoos.
Earlier this month the monarch was spotted in Munich sporting said attire, both at an airport and in a shopping mall. Accompanied by a woman in equally-as-short skirt who was holding, of course, a poodle.
Various images showed the Prince wearing different variations of tattoo, leaving “the only plausible conclusion is that these are not permanent tattoos, they are fake tattoos, probably transfers”, according to journalist Andrew Marshall.
“This still leaves open the question of why Vajiralongkorn is wandering around Munich in a skimpy crop-top sporting fake full-body tattoos. Maybe he is just enjoying himself. Having fun is not a crime.”
Meanwhile during an inspection of two villas in southern Germaby last year, the prince was “dressed in a skimpy T-shirt and jeans but very good shoes,” according to real estate agent Andreas Botas.
See the full pics here.
MYSTERIOUS DEATHS
Prince Vajiralongkorn is known for purging palace, police and personal staff — the problem is, no one hears from them again.
During his 2014 divorce, a number of police officers were purged. But notably, officer Akkharawit Limrat died under “mysterious circumstances”. Few details were released and his body was fast-tracked to cremation, according to Thai reports.
Then police spokesman Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri, said: “He got stressed out. So he jumped out of the building and died”.
Another staff purge last year saw two of three men arrested die in custody.
— youngma@news.com.au
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