By Reuters and published by CNA
THE second-eldest son of His Majesty the King visited a childcare centre for underprivileged families today (Aug. 8) during a surprise visit to the kingdom, the first time he has been back in his homeland in 27 years.
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, who works at a law firm in New York, visited the Foundation for Slum Child Care, which is supported by the Royal Family, and greeted well-wishers.
Clad in jeans and a casual black shirt, he posed for photographs in front of portraits of his father and his grandfather, late King Rama IX the Great, who died in 2016 after a 70-year reign.
“I am delighted to return … I have been away for a long time, 27 years,” Vacharaesorn told reporters at the Bangkok foundation.
“It is like a dream come true to be back,” he said.
The Royal Palace has not commented on the visit. The Palace Household Bureau did not respond to requests for comment.
Many Thais have been surprised by Vacharaesorn’s return. A picture of him in a “tuk-tuk” auto-rickshaw in Bangkok, that he posted on Monday on his Facebook page, which has more than 80,000 followers, received tens of thousands of likes.
He, his mother, former royal consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, three brothers and one sister moved abroad after the 1996 divorce.
However Vacharaesorn’s younger sister was later re-embraced by the Royal Family and given the royal title Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.
In late December, His Majesty the King’s eldest child, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, 44, collapsed due to a severe heart condition. She remains in a coma.
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Top, below and Front Page: Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, the second-eldest son of His Majesty the King, speaks to well-wishers at the Foundation for Slum Child Care supported by the Royal Family in Bangkok today, August 8, 2023. Photos: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha and published by CNA
Further down: A picture of Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse in a “tuk-tuk” auto-rickshaw in Bangkok posted on his Facebook Page. Photo shared by CNA
Also read: HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s overall condition stable
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha hospitalised with heart problem – palace
