Bangkok: The king of Thailand has married the deputy head of his personal security detail, and given her the title of queen. The surprise announcement came before his coronation ceremonies, when his position is consecrated. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, became the constitutional monarch after the death of his father in 2016. He has been married and divorced three times before and has seven children.
A royal statement said: King Vajiralongkorn "has decided to promote General 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." Queen Suthida is King Vajiralongkorn's long-term partner and has been seen with him in public for many years, though their relationship has never before been officially acknowledged.
Footage from the wedding ceremony was shown on Thai TV channels, showing other members of the royal family and palace advisers in attendance. The king is seen pouring sacred water on the head of Queen Suthida. The couple then sign a marriage registry. In 2014 Vajiralongkorn appointed Suthida Tidjai, a former flight attendant for Thai Airways, as the deputy commander of his bodyguard unit. He made her a full general in the army in December 2016.
The previous king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, ruled for 70 years, making him the longest-reigning monarch in the world when he died in 2016. Criticising or insulting Suthida is a crime under Thailand's lese majeste laws, which carry punishment of up to 15 years in prison. The king, queen, heir to the throne and regent are covered under the law. Before the wedding, she was deputy commander of the King's Own Bodyguard Regiment. The king himself is commander of the unit, and he first designated her to the special officer unit of Crown Prince's Bodyguard Regiment in 2013. The wedding came as a surprise to many Thais because the palace had never previously acknowledged any personal relationship between her and King Vajiralongkorn.
