The estranged son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has returned to Bangkok after 27 years of leaving outside the country.
Following his sudden return to Thailand, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse paid a visit to a center for disadvantaged kids in Bangkok.
Vivacharawongse’s return was initially made public in a video that was uploaded online on Sunday and showed him being welcomed by well-wishers at the arrival area of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
The Thai royal family was in a delicate situation when he returned since the eldest daughter of the monarch had been in a coma since December.
The 42-year-old, who works at a law firm in New York, is King Vajiralongkorn’s second child by his second wife, the former actress Sujarinee Vivacharawongse.
Ms. Sujarinee, who was accused of infidelity in public in 1996, was divorced by the reigning prince at the time. Later, Ms. Sujarinee and her kids relocated overseas.
The four sons are still separated from the royal family and lack any official royal titles, but the youngest daughter was adopted back by them and granted the title Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.
On his visit, the Palace has not made any remarks.
According to a Facebook post from the Foundation for Slum Child Care, Mr. Vacharaesorn visited the organization and gave money to support their efforts. He is quoted as stating that he “greeted the children thoughtfully and took great interest in the foundation’s work of helping underprivileged children and families.”
Photos of Mr. Vacharaesorn chatting to and hugging kids were published.
A day following his arrival, Mr. Vacharaesorn was captured on camera seeing some of Bangkok’s temples, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is located on the grounds of the Grand Palace. A picture of him riding an autorickshaw at night with the caption “Bangkok Tuk-Tuk” was uploaded on his Facebook page.
King Vajiralongkorn, 71, has seven offspring from four marriages and four births, but he has not designated an official heir.
Just days before his 2019 coronation, news of his fourth marriage to Queen Suthida was released. After the passing of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2016, the monarch assumed the throne.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, 44, was said to have collapsed in December owing to a heart arrhythmia; however, the palace later revealed that she had a mycoplasma infection.
According to the palace’s most recent update on her status in January, she has been unconscious and kept on life support ever since.
