Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse
วัชเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์
Vacharaesorn in 2023
Born
Prince Vacharaesorn Mahidol

(1981-05-27) 27 May 1981
Bangkok, Thailand
EducationStetson University College of Law The George Washington University Law School
Parents
Relatives

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse (Thai: วัชเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์; RTGS: Watchareson Wiwatcharawong; born 27 May 1981) is a Thai-American attorney and member of the Thai Royal Family.[1] Based in New York, Vivacharawongse is the second son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his second wife Sujarinee Vivacharawongse.[2][3] Banished along with his mother and siblings in 1996, Vacharaesorn briefly returned to Bangkok twice in 2023.[4][5][6][7][8]

Early life and education

Vacharaesorn was born on May 27, 1981. He is the second son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Sujarinee Vivacharawongse. When he was born, he has the rank of "Mom Chao" as Mom Chao Vacharaesorn Mahidol.

He started his education at Churairat Kindergarten in Bangkok, before attending Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Elementary School from 1987 to 1989, and then Chitralada School. In 1990 he was at Hill House in Knightsbridge, in 1991, he attended Sunningdale School in Berkshire, United Kingdom, where he finished his primary education. Following this, Vacharaesorn and his older brother, Juthavachara, attended Harrow School in London.[9]

However in 1996, he was exiled from Thailand to the United States with his brothers and mother. Along with his brothers he lost his royal titles.[10] After that, he went to study in the United States at Trinity Preparatory School. With an interest in law, he continued his studies for bachelor's and master's degrees at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida.[11] He thereafter received a graduate law degree (LL.M in International Law) from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.

2023 return to Thailand

On 6 August 2023, Vacharaesorn returned to Thailand after 27 years of exile on an unannounced visit, arriving in Bangkok at Suvarnabhumi airport.[12] On 10 August, he visited several sites around Bangkok, as well as paying tribute to his ancestor Nangklao.[10] The arrival of his younger brother on 12 August, Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, caused him to postpone his departure back to the United States scheduled for 13 August. Together with his brother, they visited Phra Nakhon Si Ayuthaya province on 12 August and Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok on 13 August.[13] They also visted Ariyavongsagatanana, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand at Wat Ratchabophit.[8]

He returned again back to Thailand in 2023 on 4 December to mark Father's Day.[8] In Thailand, Father's Day is marked on 5 December to honour the birthday of his grandfather Bhumibol Adulyadej, and Vacharaesorn paid respect to him in Bangkok.[14] Vacharaesorn had also received his first Thai identification card and aplied for a Thai passport.[15] On 16 December, he participated in a mangrove reforestration project in Samut Songkhram province.[16] He left Thailand on 19 December.[17]

Careers

Vacharaesorn's first job was selling hot dogs at the Daytona 500 races shortly after arriving in the United States in 1996.[9] After graduating from law school, Vacharaesorn worked as a legal advisor for Maney & Gordon, P.A., a Tampa law firm, at the firm's flagship Tampa office. He thereafter relocated to New York City, New York, after accepting a position with Goldberg Segalla, LLP. Vacharaesorn worked for Goldberg Segalla, LLP from 2008 until 2017, and became a Partner in the firm. He joined Gerber, Ciano, Kelly, Brady, LLP as a partner in 2017. Vacharaesorn also has experience as in-house counsel with Chubb Insurance.

In addition to regular work, he has established the Thai Heritage Scholarship Fund of New York for Thai students in New York City to encourage Thai students born or educated abroad to remember their home country and make a contribution to the nation.[18]

Political and cultural interest

Vacharaesorn has been a notable promoter of Buddhist and Thai art and culture within the United States, participating in various activities to promote Thai culture in Los Angeles and New York. During the COVID-19 pandemic on 4 April 2020, he encouraged the Thai government to implement policies to support people affected by the pandemic. On 6 August 2023, he posted pictures of his meeting with former German president, Christian Wulff.[9]

Vacharaesorn has been supportive of the Thai monarchy.[19] Following his visit to a New York exhibition, he has called for open discussion on the nation's stringent laws against insulting the royal family.[20]

On December 8, 2023, he visited Surao Kae Rai School, an Islamic elementary school in Bang Nam Priao district of Chachoengsao province, to grant scholarships to students.[21]

Succession

As Princess Bajrakitiyabha remains in a coma, Vajiralongkorn is under pressure to resolve the succession deadlock. In Thailand, the monarch designates their successor, something Vajiralongkorn has not done. It is widely believed that Vacharaesorn will be selected to fill the succession vacuum.[19][22][23]

References

  1. ↑ Barrett, Chris (2023-08-07). "Son of Thailand's king makes shock return after decades in exile". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  2. ↑ "ท่านอ้น วัชรเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์ พระราชโอรส ในหลวง ร.10 เสด็จกลับประเทศไทย". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  3. ↑ Smale, Alison; Fuller, Thomas (2016-10-14). "Thailand Looks to Likely Future King With Apprehension". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  4. ↑ Denby, Kenneth (2023-08-07). "Thailand's new king 'neglected sons and forced wife into exile'". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  5. ↑ "'ท่านอ้น' วัชรเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์ เดินทางกลับประเทศไทยครั้งแรก". thainewsonline (in Thai). 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  6. ↑ "The second son of Thailand's king returns to the country unexpectedly after decades of estrangement". AP News. 2023-08-08. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  7. ↑ "King's second son back in Thailand after 27 years". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  8. 1 2 3 "HM King's son travels to Thailand to mark Father's Day". nationthailand. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  9. 1 2 3 "ท่านอ้น: สายใยไม่เคยจางหาย ย้อนอดีต "วัชเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์" ในวันหวนคืนแผ่นดินไทย". BBC News ไทย (in Thai). 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  10. 1 2 "Thai King's exiled son returns – is he back in the royal fold?". Royal Central. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  11. ↑ ประวัติท่านอ้น
  12. ↑ Ratcliffe, Rebecca (2023-08-08). "Thailand king's estranged son makes surprise return after 27 years". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  13. ↑ "HM King's sons visit Siriraj hospital". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  14. ↑ "HM King's son lays flowers at statue of his grandfather in Bangkok". nationthailand. 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  15. ↑ "King's son applies for his first Thai ID card and passport". nationthailand. 15 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "King's son plants trees at mangrove reforestation project". nationthailand. 2023-12-16. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  17. ↑ "King's son applies for his first Thai ID card and passport". nationthailand. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  18. ↑ คนไทยในแอลเอร่วมใจ หนุนกองทุน’ท่านอ้น’กว่า7พัน
  19. 1 2 "Royal prodigal son's return stirs up Thailand". 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  20. ↑ "Thai king's son urges open discussion of royal insult laws". South China Morning Post. 19 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "King's son grants scholarships to students of Islamic school". Nation Thailand. 9 December 2023.
  22. ↑ Chachavalpongpun, Pavin. "Is There a Succession Crisis in the Thai Monarchy?". Council on Foreign Relations.
  23. ↑ Nguyen, James Morris and Son (10 August 2023). "King's son from America spreads cheer in surprising and highly significant visit home". Thai Examiner.
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