Thailand King Weds His Chief General, Making Her A Queen

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has married his chief of bodyguard and declared her the country's queen ahead of his official coronation on Saturday.  A royal statement released Wednesday said the 66-year-old monarch "has decided to promote Gen. Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya, his royal consort, to become Queen Suthida and she will hold royal title and status as part of the royal family."

Born Suthida Tidjai, the new queen graduated from Bangkok’s private Assumption University with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts in 2000, the Thai Rath newspaper reported. She previously worked as a flight attendant on Thai Airways International and the couple are believed to have met on a flight.
Suthida joined the palace guard in 2013 and in 2014, She became commander of the king's security unit, currently holding a general's rank. The new queen also has several top royal decorations.


Vajiralongkorn has had three previous marriages and divorced his previous wife, with whom he has a son, in 2014. He has two daughters and five sons, only one of whom is officially recognized as a prince. He became the constitutional monarch after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October 2016, who ruled for 70years on the throne. He is also called King Rama X because he is the 10th member of the Chakri dynasty, which has ruled Thailand since Rama I took the throne in 1782.

During the Royal wedding ceremony performed under the law and royal traditions, She presented her new husband with a tray of flowers and joss sticks, and in return was bestowed traditional gifts associated with royal power.

TV showed the king in a white uniform and his bride in a pink silk traditional dress formally registering their marriage on Wednesday in his palace residence in Bangkok. The couple was seen signing a marriage certificate book, which was also signed by the king's sister, Princess Sirindhorn, and Privy Council head Prem Tinsulanonda as witnesses. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and other senior officials were also in attendance.


Thailand is ruled by a military government and the royal family still wields significant influence as an embodiment of power. Insulting the monarch, queen or heir apparent is punishable by three to fifteen years in prison under Thai law. In practice, however, the rules are more widely interpreted, and the military government has been criticized for its frequent use of the law to silence critics since it seized power in May 2014.

As an important member of the royal family, she is protected by the law- Thailand's lese majestic laws.