His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X) is the only son and the second of four children of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX) and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. His Majesty was born on Monday, 28 July 1952, at Ambara Villa, Dusit Palace, in Bangkok. 

King Rama IX graciously bestowed upon his son the title and the name of His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn, as proposed by Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krommaluang Vajirananavongs, the 13th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. As His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch explained, the name “Vajiralongkorn” is derived from "Vajirayana," the name given to King Mongkut (Rama IV) during his monkhood, and “Alongkorn,” from the name of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

His Majesty King Rama X has one elder sister, Princess Ubol Ratana, and two younger sisters, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana.

Education

At an early age, His Majesty received primary and secondary education at Chitralada School in the compound of Chitralada Villa, Dusit Palace. After his studies at Chitralada School, His Majesty traveled to the United Kingdom, enrolling in King’s Mead Preparatory School in Sussex prior to pursuing a secondary education at Millfield School in Somerset until 1970.

Thereafter, His Majesty undertook military studies in Australia, initially at the King’s School, a military preparatory school in Sydney, then at the Royal Military College in Duntroon, Canberra. The King completed his studies in 1976 and returned to Thailand to serve as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army. Both in Thailand and abroad, His Majesty pursued further studies in military training and took part in a range of training programs to enhance his flying skills.

Investiture as the Crown Prince of Thailand

At the age of 20, His Royal Highness Prince Vajiralongkorn was invested Crown Prince and was bestowed the title “His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn” in an investiture ceremony presided over by King Rama IX. The investiture took place on 28 December 1972 at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, thus creating His Majesty the third Crown Prince in Thai history.

Ordination

In observance of his profound faith in Buddhism, His Majesty entered the monkhood on 6 November 1978, in the ordination hall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. During his study of ecclesiastical observances, His Majesty stayed in Wat Bovoranives, and departed the monkhood on 20 November 1978.

Royal Children

His Majesty the King has three royal children:

1. Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita, born on Thursday, 7 December 1978;

2. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, born on Thursday, 8 January 1987;

3. His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, born on Friday, 29 April 2005.

Accession to the Throne

His Majesty the King ascended the throne as King Rama X of the Royal House of Chakri, succeeding the late King Rama IX, who passed away on 13 October 2016. On behalf of the Thai people, Mr. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, President of the National Legislative Assembly and acting President of the National Assembly, formally invited royal heir apparent His Royal Highness Crown Maha Vajiralongkorn to accede to the throne, and His Majesty accepted the invitation on 1 December 2016.

In keeping with royal traditions and international norms that a kingdom should not be without a monarch on the throne, the reign of His Majesty King Rama X became effective on 13 October 2016, under the royally bestowed title “His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.”

On 1 May 2019, His Majesty the King and General Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya were united in marriage at Ambara Villa, Dusit Palace. On Coronation Day, 4 May 2019, Queen Suthida was bestowed the title Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana by royal command.

At the coronation of King Rama X in the Grand Palace, the King was bestowed the title “His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.” His Majesty presented the First Royal Command during the Royal Coronation Ceremony: "We shall treasure, preserve, and build on our heritage and shall reign in righteousness for the great enduring good of the people.”

Since the start of his reign, His Majesty King Rama X has carried forward his leadership as the pillar of the Thai nation for the happiness of the people, following the footsteps of his Royal Parents – His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.

Royal Activities

International Relations

His Majesty the King places high importance on strengthening friendly international relations, leading to good understanding between Thailand and the world community. His Majesty paid several royal visits to foreign countries as representative of King Rama IX and in his own capacity. During the visits, His Majesty observed technical progress and various activities that could be adopted for the benefit of Thailand’s national development.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana paid a royal visit to the United Kingdom from 4 to 7 May 2023, at the invitation of His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to attend the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, London. It was the first royal visit to a foreign country after His Majesty King Rama X ascended the throne in 2019.

Agricultural Development

His Majesty has continued to carry out projects initiated by King Rama IX, especially those relating to natural resource and environmental conservation. In 2002, His Majesty, at the time Crown Prince, graciously accepted the "Mobile Agricultural Clinic Project” under his patronage. Over the years, this project has provided timely services to farmers to help solve agricultural problems and enhance the efficiency of farm production. As king of a predominantly agricultural country, His Majesty King Rama X has followed up in the footsteps of his Royal Father, King Rama IX, who had laid out a royal approach for sustainable development for the country.

Public Healthcare

His Majesty King Rama X has given support for medical and public health services, especially in rural areas, on a continual basis. The King has followed up developments at Crown Prince Hospitals, presented to him by the Royal Thai Government and Thai people, and has also given his personal funds to improve medical services for inmates in various prisons nationwide.

During the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), His Majesty kindly donated medical equipment to many hospitals to support relief efforts addressing patients’ needs and to help curb the spread of the disease. Donations included biosafety mobile units to collect COVID-19 test specimens for use by the Ministry of Public Health across the country, in schools, temples, and congested communities, in addition to being used among high-risk groups.

His Majesty generously promoted the establishment of a mobile stroke unit at Siriraj Hospital to provide emergency services for stroke patients. The services have gradually expanded to all parts of the country. The King has also sent mobile medical units to provide treatment for people in various areas and for those affected by disasters.

Educational Development

His Majesty King Rama X believes that a good educational grounding for Thailand’s children and youth provides the foundation and driving force to successfully move the country forward. When he was the Crown Prince, His Majesty initiated the establishment of “His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Scholarship” program, which has been operating with his personal funds, as well as donated funds presented to him for charitable purposes. The funds have been used to support education for needy students on a continual basis.

The King practices and encourages educational guidance aimed at building a knowledge-based foundation in four key areas: (1) cultivating Thai people through a better understanding of nationhood, (2) upholding moral values and abstaining from immoral acts, (3) engaging in proper occupations, and (4) practicing good citizenship.

Royal Thai Volunteer Project

His Majesty the King initiated a volunteer scheme to encourage joint efforts to perform good deeds among the people. Identified as the “Royal Thai Volunteer Project,” the scheme is divided into three types of activities:

1) Offering public services to communities on a voluntary basis to improve citizens’ living conditions and quality of life;

2) Working voluntarily and cooperatively with one another during special occasions, such as royal ceremonies;

3) Offering supplemental services in terms of disaster preparedness and relief operations, such as giving public disaster warnings and easing the hardships of affected people.

“Pilot King”

As a young prince, His Majesty King Rama X showed interest in aircraft and aviation and attended many flying courses to become a qualified aviation pilot; as a result, His Majesty is competent to fly several types of aircraft – military and civil. His talent as an aviator and his knowledge of flying is widely known. The King’s proven flying ability has earned him the honor of being known as the “Pilot King.”

Sporting Talent

Recognized as a role model in exercising and using sports to promote solidarity and unity, His Majesty the King is renowned for his athletic ability. The King has enjoyed many sports, particularly football, horse riding, cycling, parachuting, shooting, and sailing. His Majesty has also encouraged the people to be aware of the importance of exercising and playing sports for good health.