BANGKOK - The royal consort to Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Ms Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, has been stripped of her title and military ranks … Suthida, who was a former consort and Thai Airways flight attendant, married the King in an official ceremony on May 1 where was named the official Queen consort of Thailand. In July, Prime Minister Prayut said he was "worried and concerned about this movement" and warned protesters against violating the monarchy. However, technically, the last polygynous king to have an official consort was King Rama VI. "It is regarded as if she was not stripped of her royal status, her royal military position and military rank and all her royal decorations were never recalled before," the latest announcement read. Vajiralongkorn is believed to spend much of his time overseas and has been largely absent from public life in Thailand as the country grappled with the coronavirus pandemic. Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms.. Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth).Her father ascended the throne on the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII in 1936, from which time she was the heir presumptive. But protesters say it's time for change, His party was banned. About 703,000 accounts followed one or more of these pages, about 100,000 accounts joined at least one of these groups and around 2,500 people … Though the website also released a lengthy biography of Sineenat (currently only available in Thai), the whole display has raised many questions: Who is Sineenat? Thursday 3 September 2020. Expressing any dissatisfaction with the Thai royal family has long been considered verboten, radical and even dangerous -- and not just because of the lese majeste laws. Thais are still expected to follow a long tradition of worshiping the royal institution. Niramon Ounprom is an army officer, member of the Thai royal court, and a former Thai nurse. Now, thanks to the newly released images and biography, the public is learning a bit more about her. Sineenat is the first royal consort in nearly a century. Thailand’s royal palace has released candid photographs of the king’s newly-anointed consort, offering a rare and intimate window into the lives of the Thai royals. Is wearing a sports bra as a top acceptable attire in a military aircraft? Details surrounding her reappointment are scant. The King, Rama X, has been seen with his concubine, Royal Noble Consort Sineenat since that time. Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn reinstated his royal consort to the position after she was stripped of all of her titles almost a year before. 2 religious leaders explain why it's key. But these weren’t your average royal portraits: In addition to the formal shots we’ve come to expect from members of a monarchy, there were also more unusual images, including ones of the consort — Maj. Gen. Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi — wearing a camouflage sports bra in an airplane cockpit, as well as others of her in military gear holding a dog. Given the expansive geography of Southeast Asia, allowing the king multiple spouses served as a way to integrate the different settlements into a kingdom. The pictures were distributed amongst pro-democracy activist and they were also sent to… ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock. After being named royal consort in July 2019, she held the post for only three months before being stripped of her titles. Prayut's military-backed ruling coalition has promised to restore stability to a nation rocked by decades of coups and political crises, but many of the country's young people feel Prayut's government has done little to improve their economic prospects, restore democracy, or build confidence in the people. Thailand's king strips 'disloyal' royal consort of titles and military ranks This article is more than 1 year old Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, 34, was accused of breaching code of conduct for courtiers “If you just go back about a hundred years or more, polygyny performed a political function,” Loos tells Rolling Stone, referring to the type of polygamy that involves a man having more than one wife. And since much of the rest of the world does not operate under a system where the ruler is involved in legitimate polygynous relationships, Loos explains that King Maha Vajiralongkorn is likely doing this as a statement. After people began questioning the disappearance of … And, most notably, what exactly is a consort, and why hasn’t there been one in Thailand for almost 100 years? Is wearing a sports bra as a top acceptable attire in a military aircraft? The Thai King’s Royal Consort was dismissed in disgrace last year, but Thai media is now denying that the rift ever occurred. First, some background. But Thailand's Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit vows to fight on. Now, thanks to the newly released images and biography, the public is learning a bit more about her. It’s also unclear why a Thai king has appointed a consort for the first time in nearly a century, but Loos points to the country’s strict. Originally Posted by US Royal ... amalia princess chulabhorn princess dita queen consort queen elizabeth ii queen mathilde queen maxima random facts royal court royal dress-ups royal jewels royal re-enactments. , King Maha Vajiralongkorn named General Sineenat his official consort. By Kocha Olarn, Helen Regan and Joshua Berlinger, CNN, Updated 1:59 PM ET, Thu September 3, 2020. What is her role in the Thai monarchy? The consort, also known as Koi Wongvajirapakdi, was gifted the title of royal consort to mark the king's 67th birthday last July. King Maha Vajiralongkorn and former Royal Noble Consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi. However, according to Tamara Loos, Ph.D., professor of history and Asian studies at Cornell University, in the Thai monarchy it refers to one type of wife in a historical system that included both queens and consorts in a polygynous relationship with the king. King Maha Vajiralongkorn currently has both a queen and a consort. The term “consort” can, in some contexts, simply mean the spouse of a reigning monarch. BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thailand's palace has released photographs of King Maha Vajiralongkorn visiting prisons with his royal consort, Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, as … Thai Royal Noble Consort Sineenat Bilaskalayani adjusts her helmet in a photo that was posted on the Thai royal website this week. King Vajiralongkorn with his official royal consort Sineenat (Image: THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE/AFP via) She had become the first royal consort in almost a … The last anointment of a noble consort took place during the … King Maha Vajiralangkornm, 67, … The Thai Royal Household said in an official notice that all titles, military ranks and decorations were returned to Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi after she was found "untainted," implying that she was innocent of previous accusations. The Best Disposable Face Masks for Double-Masking, Workouts and Commutes. By Hope Coke. But they were thwarted in part by a military-drafted constitution that enabled the generals to keep hold of power via the Senate led by an unelected Prime Minister. — Royal World Thailand (@rwthofficial) December 17, 2020 Sineenat, a 35-year-old Major General, was named King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s consort in July 2019, to serve as a concubine to the royal alongside his official wife Suthida Tidjai, who he married just several months before. Similarly, it remains unknown where she spent the intervening months. “It wasn’t about sex, it wasn’t about depravity — and I’m not saying that didn’t happen, but, it really served an important political purpose,” she says. According to her official royal bio, General Sineenat was born on January 26th, 1985 in the northern Thai province of Nan. The 35-year-old Sineenatra was named chief concubine in July 2019, making her the first official mistress of the king since the end of Thailand’s absolute monarchy in 1932. Photo by HANDOUT/THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE / AFP via Getty Images Article content. Is It OK to Travel to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine? © Copyright 2021 Rolling Stone, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. The institution is revered with almost religious fervor by many Thais. Those laws do not appear to have deterred Thais from discussing Sineenat's royal reemergence on social media. Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn has stripped his royal consort, Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, of her rank and royal titles after she was reportedly accused of plotting against the Queen. The king of Thailand announced this week that he was naming a 34-year-old woman (and military general) as his official consort — in addition to his wife. Photograph: Royal Household Bureau. The renewed controversy involving the Thailand king and his royal consort comes only a few months after reports of a revenge porn attack against the consort. His son, Vajiralongkorn, who assumed the throne in 2016 and was crowned in May 2019, doesn't hold that same respect or moral authority. She was named concubine of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, who granted her several military ranks and positions, including the noble name of Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi. "I feel for our children, youths and university students and I also share their parents' worries too. 03 Sep 2020. Thailand's palace has released photographs of King Maha Vajiralongkorn visiting prisons with his royal consort, Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, as the royal family steps up … And, most notably, what exactly is a consort, and why hasn’t there been one in Thailand for almost 100 years? She spent time in the military undertaking courses in jungle warfare and piloting, according to state broadcaster Thai PBS. In other words, anyone on the inside who is privy to why the king decided to appoint a consort now would not be free to speak about it. Grievances ones whispered in private are now being chanted in public. Thousands of Thais protested last month to demand democratic reforms, and among them were a small but increasingly vocal group that is calling for changes to the monarchy. of Sineenat (currently only available in Thai), the whole display has raised many questions: Who is Sineenat? Today, some Muslim kingdoms practice polygynous relationships, Loos says, but those function differently than consorts to Thai kings. First, some background. An estimated 10,000 anti-government protesters young and old packed Bangkok's Democracy Monument on August 16, calling for democratic reforms, changes to the military-written constitution and for the dissolution of parliament. Shocking images emerge from Myanmar as military cracks down, CNN revisits church where massacre occurred ahead of Pope's visit, This 118-year-old woman is set to break Olympic record, Navalny ally: Of course I'm scared but I cannot hide myself, Pope's Iraq visit is risky. She is the first woman to hold the title "The monarchy is revered, you have to love it unconditionally," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an exiled Thai dissident who is now an associate professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University. But there must be a vigilance about violations, I think people won't tolerate it and allow an incident like this to happen again," he said. in May 2019. THAILAND’s eccentric King has made his mistress a royal consort – in an awkward ceremony attended by his new wife. royal spouse royalty of taiwan royal wedding royal wedding gown stuart sussex swedish queen thailand thai royal family tips tradition uae customs united states united states of … Sign up for our newsletter. “He’s very boldly and publicly displaying the fact that he is a polygynous king,” she explains. According to her official royal bio, General Sineenat was born on January 26th, 1985 in the northern Thai province of Nan. This undated handout from Thailand's Royal Office received on August 26, 2019 shows royal noble consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi. What is her role in the Thai monarchy? Duchess of Sussex says Buckingham Palace is 'perpetuating falsehoods', Video shows dramatic escalation of violence in Myanmar, Author describes what happened when ISIS underestimated women fighters, ICC to investigate alleged war crimes by Israel and Hamas, Australian Attorney General denies historical rape allegation, Cuba aims to produce its own Covid-19 vaccine, Police shoot stun grenades at peaceful Arab-Israeli protesters, See images US intelligence claims is a secret weapons site, have been charged under sweeping laws such as sedition or lese majeste, Thailand's monarchy was long considered God-like. He married Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya. While it's unclear why Sineenat is being reinstated now, it comes at a time of political upheaval. But what is clear is that these unusual photos of General Sineenat have been released for a reason. Thailand's king has reconciled with his royal consort after accusing her of seeking to undermine the position of his official wife and therefore stripping her of all titles and military ranks. can, in some contexts, simply mean the spouse of a reigning monarch. On Wednesday. Sineenat is the first royal consort in nearly a century. BANGKOK — King Rama X has bestowed a major-general the title of Royal Noble Consort, the first instance of the title being handed down since the end of absolute monarchy. He faces jail. “The photos cover the major types of royal photography in use today,”, , clinical assistant professor with the Asian studies program at the University at Buffalo tells Rolling Stone. Want more Rolling Stone? “There are candid shots, which have been deployed especially well by Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge to help citizens feel connected to their sovereigns…Coming so soon after the King bestowed her title, it is possible that the package of photographs is intended to introduce Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi to the public as a royal consort.”, Texas and Mississippi Say It’s Time to Reopen Without Masks. Thai consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi greets royalists in Bangkok on November 1, 2020. He was also beloved by many for his work to improve the lives of ordinary people. In other words, anyone on the inside who is privy to why the king decided to appoint a consort now would not be free to speak about it. The royal consort allegedly had over 1,000 explicit images of her leaked by “enemies” of the royal family. Although the absolute monarchy was abolished in Thailand in 1932, the monarch still wields significant political influence. However, technically, the last polygynous king to have an official consort was King Rama VI. She graduated from the Army … BANGKOK — Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has stripped his newly named royal consort of her titles and military ranks for being “disloyal” and conducting a rivalry with Queen Suthida, the palace said late on Monday. Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, 34, an army nurse, was elevated to the position of Chao Khun Phra, or noble consort, on Vajiralongkorn’s 67th birthday in July. “The photos cover the major types of royal photography in use today,” Amanda Kennell, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor with the Asian studies program at the University at Buffalo tells Rolling Stone. “There are candid shots, which have been deployed especially well by Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge to help citizens feel connected to their sovereigns…Coming so soon after the King bestowed her title, it is possible that the package of photographs is intended to introduce Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi to the public as a royal consort.”. King Rama X has bestowed the title of Royal Noble Consort – the formal title for the chief concubine – on one of his major-generals. The king was previously married — and subsequently divorced — three times before marrying Queen Suthida. Then, two months later, King Maha Vajiralongkorn named General Sineenat his official consort. She was a former army nurse who served in the King's royal bodyguard unit, and held the military ranking of … — draconian measures that prohibits discussing the royal family and carries a jail penalty of up to 15 years for each infraction. She graduated from the Army Nursing College in 2008, and has completed several military courses, in areas such as jungle warfare, combat, night parachuting, as well as training to be a private pilot. What's behind the mass exodus of Christians from Iraq? Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Due to Thailand's stringent. It’s also unclear why a Thai king has appointed a consort for the first time in nearly a century, but Loos points to the country’s strict lese majeste laws — draconian measures that prohibits discussing the royal family and carries a jail penalty of up to 15 years for each infraction. “Even if he tries to argue this is part of Thai political tradition, it’s completely divorced from the function that polygyny used to serve in that tradition,” she explains. Thailand's palace has released photographs of King Maha Vajiralongkorn visiting prisons with his royal consort, Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, as the royal family steps up … The phrase "free of blemish" was the top trend on Twitter in Thailand Thursday morning, as was the hashtag "ReformTheMonarchy.". We want to hear from you! This article lists the royal consorts of monarchs of Thailand from the foundation of the … Young people turned out to vote en masse in 2019, hoping to bring new, progressive, pro-democracy parties into power. Own the Lizzie Borden Murder House for Just $2 Million. According to Loos, he was rumored to be gay and married a second wife towards the end of his life and reign — both of which ended in 1925 — for the purpose of having a son to be his heir. However, according to, “If you just go back about a hundred years or more, polygyny performed a political function,” Loos tells, The last time there was a consort to serve this original political purpose was at the turn of the 20. century, during the rule of King Rama V, who had more than 150 consorts. Thailand’s king Maha Vajiralongkorn has reportedly crowned his royal consort, Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, as the country’s second queen, within months of her nude photos being leaked. She became the first woman to receive such a prominent rank in nearly a century. The father of Vajiralongkorn, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, reigned for 70 years and was widely seen as a stable father figure who navigated the country through decades of coups and political unrest. She was a former army nurse who served in the King's royal bodyguard unit, and held the military ranking of major general. Earlier this week, Thailand’s Royal Household Bureau released more than 60 photos of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and his consort, on their website, and quite literally broke the internet — the pictures ended up being so popular that on Monday, the website crashed. The Royal Noble Consort Sineenat ‘Koi’ Wongvajirapakdi to Thailand’s monarch King Maha Vajiralongkorn has had her name doing rounds on internet many times in the past. He married Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya a few days prior to his coronation in May 2019. After Prince Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne as King Rama X, he appointed her as his Royal Noble Consort, giving her the noble title of Chao Khun Phra Sineenat Bilaskalayani in July 2019. The last time there was a consort to serve this original political purpose was at the turn of the 20th century, during the rule of King Rama V, who had more than 150 consorts. She graduated from the Army Nursing College in 2008, and has completed several military courses, in areas such as jungle warfare, combat, night parachuting, as well as training to be a private pilot. But what is clear is that these unusual photos of General Sineenat have been released for a reason. The king was previously married — and subsequently divorced — three times before marrying Queen Suthida. However, experts say the calls for monarchical reform could clash with those seeking changes to government -- they could could alienate large numbers of protesters. Thailand's king has reinstated his royal consort to the position, nearly a year after she was stripped of her titles in a dramatic fall from grace. Then. King Maha Vajiralongkorn currently has both a queen and a consort. By Hope Coke. , General Sineenat was born on January 26th, 1985 in the northern Thai province of Nan. Live Venues Say No Thanks, How to Watch Oprah’s Interview With Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Online, Kings of Leon Will Be the First Band to Release an Album as an NFT, ‘Framing Britney Spears:’ How to Watch the New Britney Spears Documentary on Hulu for Free. According to Loos, he was rumored to be gay and married a second wife towards the end of his life and reign — both of which ended in 1925 — for the purpose of having a son to be his heir. The Thai royal noble consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi. It’s been something of a rollercoaster romance for King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand … Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says he has assigned the Royal Thai Army to investigate after Facebook Inc. removed 185 accounts and groups allegedly engaged in an information-influencing operation in Thailand run by the military. At this point, it is unclear what General Sineenat’s official duties as consort will be, but Loos says that her actual role matters less than the optics of releasing these photos. Shutterstock . Bangkok, Thailand (CNN)King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand is welcoming his consort back into the royal household, a surprise move that comes as the country is in the throes of an unprecedented protest movement calling for reforms to both government and the monarchy. This time, about 1400 of her private pictures were reportedly leaked.