Fears Thailand's missing Queen Suthida is being punished for opposing husband's lover
By Natalie Oliveri| 2 days ago
There are hopes Thailand's 'missing' queen will make an appearance at Lunar New Year celebrations this weekend as fears grow over her whereabouts.
Queen Suthida is the fourth wife of King Vajiralongkorn, who also known as Rama X, but she has not been seen in public since December 28.
Thais are kept informed about the royal family's engagements on the nightly news but no mention has been made of Queen Suthida since late December.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida wave to an audience from the balcony of the palace. (AP/AAP)
It's sparked fears among some of her supporters that the queen has met the same fate of the king's other three wives, who were either forced into exile or publicly humiliated.
One theory is Queen Suthida has been exiled or punished for her opposition to the king elevating his consort to the role of queen.
But the royal household has never officially confirmed the promotion of Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi as Royal Noble Consort.
In 2019, Sineenat was named the king's consort in a ceremony attended by Queen Suthida, who sat at her husband's side.
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Thailand's King Maha X with Queen Suthida. (AP/AAP)
Months later, Sineenat was stripped her of all her titles, including military and government ranks, after she reportedly tried to undermine Queen Suthida.
Following a brief stint in jail, the consort was forgiven and her titles reinstated by the king.
It was after that she is believed to have been elevated to the status of queen.
Information about Thailand's monarchy is heavily sanitised by the country's lese majeste laws.
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, center, and his royal noble consort Sineenat Wongvajirabhakdi, right, arrive at the Wasukri pier during a merit-making ceremony for her 36th birthday in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. Thai royal noble consort Sineenat was born on Jan. 26, 1985 .(AP Photo) (AP)
Thailand has some of the world's strictest laws against defaming or criticising the king, queen, heir-apparent or regent. The laws can result in a 15-year prison sentence for each violation.
In January, a 43-year prison sentence was given to a woman by a Thai court for insulting the monarchy.
The sentence is believed to be the toughest ever imposed under the country's lese majeste laws and comes after months of youth-led protests last year openly calling for reform of Thailand's powerful monarchy and greater democratic freedoms.
Since late last year, authorities have brought lese majeste cases against dozens of protesters after more than two years of the law not being used.
King Vajiralongkorn assumed the throne in 2017.
He spent much of his early life in the UK where he attended school before being sent to Australia's Royal Military College, Duntroon, where he graduated with an arts degree as a corporal.
By Natalie Oliveri| 2 days ago
There are hopes Thailand's 'missing' queen will make an appearance at Lunar New Year celebrations this weekend as fears grow over her whereabouts.
Queen Suthida is the fourth wife of King Vajiralongkorn, who also known as Rama X, but she has not been seen in public since December 28.
Thais are kept informed about the royal family's engagements on the nightly news but no mention has been made of Queen Suthida since late December.
It's sparked fears among some of her supporters that the queen has met the same fate of the king's other three wives, who were either forced into exile or publicly humiliated.
One theory is Queen Suthida has been exiled or punished for her opposition to the king elevating his consort to the role of queen.
But the royal household has never officially confirmed the promotion of Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi as Royal Noble Consort.
In 2019, Sineenat was named the king's consort in a ceremony attended by Queen Suthida, who sat at her husband's side.
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Months later, Sineenat was stripped her of all her titles, including military and government ranks, after she reportedly tried to undermine Queen Suthida.
Following a brief stint in jail, the consort was forgiven and her titles reinstated by the king.
It was after that she is believed to have been elevated to the status of queen.
Information about Thailand's monarchy is heavily sanitised by the country's lese majeste laws.
Thailand has some of the world's strictest laws against defaming or criticising the king, queen, heir-apparent or regent. The laws can result in a 15-year prison sentence for each violation.
In January, a 43-year prison sentence was given to a woman by a Thai court for insulting the monarchy.
The sentence is believed to be the toughest ever imposed under the country's lese majeste laws and comes after months of youth-led protests last year openly calling for reform of Thailand's powerful monarchy and greater democratic freedoms.
Since late last year, authorities have brought lese majeste cases against dozens of protesters after more than two years of the law not being used.
King Vajiralongkorn assumed the throne in 2017.
He spent much of his early life in the UK where he attended school before being sent to Australia's Royal Military College, Duntroon, where he graduated with an arts degree as a corporal.
