On July 3rd, local time, after a half-month absence from public view, Thai King Maha and Queen Suthida reappeared together at a royal concert held in his honor. The event marked their return amidst a backdrop of recent tumultuous events within the royal family.
Earlier on June 5th, there was a disturbance when the son of former Princess Yuvadhida, ousted Second Prince Vajiralongkorn, trespassed into the royal palace, causing widespread concern among the royal members. Consequently, many members sought refuge abroad, including the King, who likely retreated to his German palace.
Now, with all the princes ousted from the country, the dust has settled. While it's uncertain if the recent turmoil in Siam is related to the princes, opportunistic intentions are widely speculated.
jrhz.infoRecent events have dampened Maha's usual cheerful demeanor. He used to enjoy attending concerts and greeting guests with waves and casual chats, but these days, his mood seems visibly altered.
Queen Suthida appeared exceptionally beautiful today in her Thai-styled strapless gown, perhaps opting for more coverage after previous criticism. Her refined style, featuring high bun hairstyles and vintage palace lamp earrings, cleverly conceals her short neck, enhancing her elegance.
King Maha, on the other hand, sported his usual black suit adorned with a bow tie, his customary attire for such concerts.
The political landscape in Thailand is turbulent, always on the brink of crisis. Since assuming the throne, Maha no longer enjoys the carefree life he once did. Perhaps his most carefree days were under his father, King Bhumibol, when he could leisurely wear cropped tank tops without a worry.
Maha's expression was grim, devoid of any hint of a smile. What infuriated him most about the recent events was the return of Second Princess consort Anand leading the Air Force Marshal, which he considered a humiliation.
Even Queen Suthida appeared awkwardly smiling. According to the lengthy descriptions in the eldest prince's manifesto, Maha is known to be cold, suspicious, and not particularly friendly towards women, even capable of violence. Being his consort must be quite challenging.
Fortunately, Maha's advancing age has mellowed his temperament, allowing him to reward and lavish attention on these younger women. Previous consorts like Consort Sineenat and Yuvadhida and Sirimah never had such good fortune.
Initially, Maha turned a blind eye to his four returning sons, but their return only fueled their ambitions, especially Vajiralongkorn's persistent attempts to impress his father and seize the throne. However, such ambitions are well-known, and the ambitious are always revealed.
Still, Maha's handling of the situation remains perplexing. Since Princess Sirindhorn's brain death, he has increasingly relied on his consorts rather than the royal members. Now, even his nephew and legitimate daughters are rarely seen. It makes one wonder what plans he's scheming.
However, Maha has always unconditionally supported Vajiralongkorn and kept him in Germany, under the special care of Princess Sineenat. This recent incident only proves that Vajiralongkorn can rely on his father's unconditional support without having to prove himself.
Reports indicate that Queen Suthida and Princess Sirivannavari wield the greatest influence within the royal court, overshadowing lesser consorts who have yet to establish themselves.
Nevertheless, Vajiralongkorn's recent 'laying low' strategy doesn't guarantee that he can rest easy. The royal family is complex, with each member pursuing their own agenda. The possibility remains that some princes may be manipulating behind the scenes, stirring up unrest in the court. For Vajiralongkorn, it's crucial to mature quickly and prepare for future challenges, especially since Maha is aging and he himself is still relatively young.
