Thailand’s King’s Son returns to homeland after 27 Years

Bangkok: Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second-eldest son of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, made an unexpected return to his homeland after an astonishing 27-year absence. The visit of Vacharaesorn, 42, comes at a crucial juncture for the Thai royal family, with the king’s eldest daughter remaining in a coma since December.

During the surprise return of Thailand’s King’s Son, Vacharaesorn, who works at a law firm in New York, paid a visit to the Foundation for Slum Child Care in Bangkok. The foundation, supported by the royal family, serves underprivileged families and children. Dressed casually in jeans and a black shirt, Vacharaesorn posed for photos in front of portraits of his father and his late grandfather, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who held the throne for an impressive 70 years until his passing in 2016.

Speaking to reporters at the foundation, Vacharaesorn expressed his joy at being back in Thailand after such a prolonged absence. He said, “I am delighted to return … I have been away for a long time, 27 years. It is like a dream come true to be back.”

The Royal Palace has refrained from offering official comments on the unexpected visit. Similarly, the Palace Household Bureau has not responded to requests for statements regarding Vacharaesorn’s return.

Vacharaesorn’s return has caught many Thais by surprise, with a photograph of him in a traditional “tuk-tuk” auto-rickshaw in Bangkok gaining considerable attention on social media. The photo, posted on his Facebook page with over 80,000 followers, garnered tens of thousands of likes.

The social media platform formerly known as Twitter was also abuzz with the hashtag #SonOfTenReturnToThailand, referring to his father’s formal title, King Rama X. The hashtag trended with nearly 390,000 mentions.