Breaking News! The King of Thailand surrounded a temple, arrested the second prince who had become a monk, and immediately deported him, sending him back to the United States on a plane. This has completely shattered the ambitious dream of the second prince, a scholar who returned from overseas to seek sympathy and popularity.
The Thai royal family has long been a symbol of mystery and power. However, a sudden operation has once again made this ancient family the focus of global attention. King Maha Vajiralongkorn personally ordered the siege of the temple, arresting Prince Vacharasin and deporting him, sending him back to the United States on a plane. This prince, who had lived in exile abroad for many years and tried to return to Thailand with an "academic" image to win public support, now sees his dream of succession collapse instantly. What did Prince Vacharasin do to anger the king so much? What kind of royal power struggle and political undercurrents lie behind this incident?
Thailand is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that still maintains a monarchy. The Chakri Dynasty has existed since 1782 and has continued to the present day, with ten kings. The current king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, ascended the throne in 2016. He is the only male heir of King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej. King Bhumibol reigned for 70 years, known for his kindness and approachability. In contrast, King Maha Vajiralongkorn's leadership style is more firm and decisive. After taking the throne, he made significant adjustments within the royal family and the country's politics, reinforcing the status of the monarchy in modern society.
The issue of succession in the Thai royal family has always been a focal point of public attention. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has five children, but due to complex family relationships and legal restrictions, only a few are considered eligible for succession. His eldest son was deprived of the right to inherit the throne due to early marriage issues, while other children are female, making it difficult for them to be candidates for the throne according to traditional customs. In this context, the emergence of the second son, Prince Vacharasin, once raised some hope among the public.
Prince Vacharasin is the second son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his second wife, born in 1981. He received his education in the United States and holds a law degree, with an impressive academic background. However, his life path has been marked by turmoil due to family changes. In the 1990s, his mother was expelled from the royal family due to a broken marriage and took several children, including Vacharasin, into exile abroad. From then on, Vacharasin's relationship with the Thai royal family almost ceased, and he lived in the United States for a long time, far away from Thai politics and the public eye.
During his exile, Vacharasin did not completely sever ties with the royal family. He used social media to showcase his life, emphasizing his educational background and identification with Thai culture, trying to portray himself as a capable and responsible royal figure. In recent years, he began returning to Thailand frequently, participating in public activities, seemingly aiming to re-enter the core of the royal family, even being seen by some as a potential heir to the throne. However, this high-profile return did not gain the king's approval, but rather sowed the seeds of conflict.
After returning to Thailand, Vacharasin's behavior gradually sparked controversy. According to reports, he often claimed to be a royal member during his activities in Thailand, even using this title to seek personal benefits. He participated in some business projects, allegedly using the influence of the royal family to attract investments, but failed to fulfill his promises. In addition, there were reports that he was involved in fraud and money laundering scandals, the specific details of which have not been fully disclosed, but they were enough to cause the king's dissatisfaction. These actions not only damaged the reputation of the royal family but also touched the king's bottom line of maintaining royal authority.
Vacharasin's ambition is evident. He tried to accumulate political capital through his return to Thailand, and there were rumors that he hoped to regain the right to inherit the throne through this. However, his approach was too hasty and lacked a deep understanding of the political reality in Thailand. Although the Thai royal family has a symbolic position, its actual power is highly concentrated in the current king. Any challenge to the authority would be hard to tolerate. Vacharasin clearly underestimated this.
Faced with Vacharasin's various actions, King Maha Vajiralongkorn took a swift action. According to reliable sources, the king ordered the military to surround the temple where Vacharasin was practicing as a monk, arrested him quickly, and then sent him directly to the airport, boarding a flight to the United States. This action had no prior signs, indicating the king's control over the situation and his zero-tolerance attitude towards internal threats.
It is worth noting that before being deported, Vacharasin had temporarily taken refuge as a monk, a practice in Thai culture usually seen as a way to purify the soul and seek redemption. However, this act did not regain the king's trust, and it may have even been seen as a means of concealment or a way to gain sympathy. The king's decisive handling shows that he does not want any potential threats to take root domestically.
The deportation of Vacharasin not only ended his personal dream of succession but also had a profound impact on the future direction of the Thai royal family. First, this incident strengthened King Maha Vajiralongkorn's absolute control over the royal family. He sent a clear message to the outside world through strong measures: anyone who dares to challenge his authority will pay the price. Second, Vacharasin's failure further highlights the complexity of the succession issue. Currently, the king has not clearly designated an heir, leaving room for uncertainty in the future.
Vacharasin's dream of succession has come to an end, but the story is far from over. Will he choose a low-key life, or continue to speak out from abroad? How will the Thai royal family solve the inheritance problem? Can the king's tough measures maintain stability in the long term? These questions are worth our reflection. What do you think about Vacharasin's actions and the king's decision? What are your predictions for the future of Thai politics? Please leave your comments and share your views!
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836503941753856/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.