In the 241-year history of the Chakri dynasty that has ruled Thailand since 1782, no monarch has come to the throne after a longer-reigning predecessor than King Vajiralongkorn. The Bangkok-born son of the legendary King Bhumibol Adulyadej — who reigned for 70 years until his death in October 2016 — Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne on 1 December 2016 as Rama X. He was crowned in May 2019. Behind every Grand Palace appearance sits one of the most documented — and most internally complex — royal families in Asia.

The Family's Roots: The Chakri Dynasty of Siam

The House of Chakri has ruled Thailand since 1782, when General Chao Phraya Chakri ascended the throne as Rama I and moved the Siamese capital to Bangkok. The dynasty has produced ten kings to date.

Vajiralongkorn was born in Bangkok on 28 July 1952.

His Father: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)

King Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016) was the ninth Chakri king and the longest-reigning monarch in modern world history at the time of his death (70 years and 126 days). He guided Thailand through twenty-three coups, twelve constitutions, and twenty-seven prime ministers — and remains one of the most-revered figures in modern Thai history.

His Mother: Queen Mother Sirikit

Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, born 12 August 1932, served as Queen Consort throughout her husband's reign. She has been in declining health for many years.

His Siblings

Vajiralongkorn has three sisters:

Princess Ubol Ratana, born 5 April 1951, the eldest. She gave up her royal titles in 1972 to marry American Peter Jensen; she has since returned to public life as a princess and was briefly proposed as a 2019 prime-ministerial candidate by Thai Raksa Chart Party — a move that was struck down by the Constitutional Court.

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born 2 April 1955, is widely regarded as the most respected member of the Thai royal family. She is unmarried and known for her academic and philanthropic work.

Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, born 4 July 1957, is a scientist and chemist who has led several research and philanthropic institutions.

His Wives (Four Marriages)

Vajiralongkorn has been married four times:

Princess Soamsawali, married 1977 – divorced 1991. One daughter.

Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, married 1994 – divorced 1996. One daughter and four sons (the four sons live in the United States and are no longer recognised as royal).

Princess Srirasmi, married 2001 – divorced 2014. One son.

Queen Suthida, born 3 June 1978, was a former flight attendant and Royal Thai Air Force general before her 2019 marriage. They married on 1 May 2019, three days before his coronation.

His Children

He has seven children across his four marriages:

  • Princess Bajrakitiyabha, born 7 December 1978 — daughter with Princess Soamsawali. Senior public servant; she suffered cardiac arrest in December 2022 and has been in hospital since.
  • Four sons (b. between 1981 and 1989) with Sujarinee Vivacharawongse — currently living in the United States, no longer in line of succession.
  • Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, born 8 January 1987 — daughter with Sujarinee Vivacharawongse. A fashion designer.
  • Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, born 29 April 2005 — son with Princess Srirasmi. He is widely considered the most likely heir.

The Chakri Family Tree at a Glance

Dynasty

  • House of Chakri
  • Founded 1782 by Rama I
  • Ten kings to date

Parents

  • Father: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) (5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016) — King of Thailand, 1946–2016
  • Mother: Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara (b. 12 August 1932)

Siblings

  • Princess Ubol Ratana (b. 5 April 1951)
  • King Vajiralongkorn / Rama X (b. 28 July 1952)
  • Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (b. 2 April 1955)
  • Princess Chulabhorn Walailak (b. 4 July 1957)

King Vajiralongkorn

  • Born 28 July 1952, Bangkok
  • King's Mead School and Millfield School, UK
  • The King's School, Sydney, Australia
  • Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australia (graduated 1976)
  • Senior commander, Royal Thai Air Force; trained military pilot
  • King of Thailand from 1 December 2016; crowned May 2019

Wives

  • Princess Soamsawali (married 1977, divorced 1991)
  • Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (married 1994, divorced 1996)
  • Princess Srirasmi (married 2001, divorced 2014)
  • Queen Suthida (b. 3 June 1978, married 1 May 2019)

Children

  • Princess Bajrakitiyabha (b. 7 December 1978; cardiac arrest December 2022) — daughter with Princess Soamsawali
  • Four sons with Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (living in US, no longer royal)
  • Princess Sirivannavari (b. 8 January 1987) — daughter with Sujarinee Vivacharawongse; fashion designer
  • Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti (b. 29 April 2005) — son with Princess Srirasmi; widely considered heir presumptive

What the Chakri Family Story Teaches Us

A father whose seventy-year reign was the longest in modern world history. A mother who was Queen Consort for sixty-eight years. Three accomplished sisters. Four marriages. Seven children, with one set of sons formally removed from succession. A daughter currently in hospital. A teenage son widely considered next in line.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Chakri story carries the same lesson. Family-tree complications happen even in the most regulated families. Royal protocol cannot prevent divorces, illness, or the loss of contact between branches of a family that move to different countries. Write down what is actually true of your own family — including the parts that are complicated. The tree records what was, not what should have been.

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