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'{{Short description|Son of Rama X and former Thai prince}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse<br>วัชรเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์ | honorific_suffix = | image = Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 20230827.jpg | image_size = | caption = Vacharaesorn in 2023 | birth_name = Prince Vacharaesorn Mahidol | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|5|27|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Bangkok]], Thailand | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | education = [[Stetson University College of Law]] | title = | parents = {{unbulleted list|[[Vajiralongkorn|Maha Vajiralongkorn]]|[[Sujarinee Vivacharawongse]]}} | relatives = {{unbulleted list||[[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] (grandfather)}} }} '''Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse''' ({{lang-th|วัชรเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์}}; {{RTGS|Watchareson Wiwatcharawong}}; 27 May 1981) is a Thai-American attorney and member of the [[Chakri dynasty|Thai Royal Family]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Chris |date=2023-08-07 |title=Son of Thailand’s king makes shock return after decades in exile |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/son-of-thailand-s-king-makes-shock-return-after-decades-in-exile-20230807-p5duk5.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> Based in New York, Vivacharawongse is the second son of King [[Vajiralongkorn|Maha Vajiralongkorn]] and his second wife [[Sujarinee Vivacharawongse]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ท่านอ้น วัชรเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์ พระราชโอรส ในหลวง ร.10 เสด็จกลับประเทศไทย |url=https://www.msn.com/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Smale |first1=Alison |last2=Fuller |first2=Thomas |date=2016-10-14 |title=Thailand Looks to Likely Future King With Apprehension |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/15/world/asia/thailand-looks-to-likely-future-king-with-apprehension.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2023-08-07}}</ref> Banished along with his mother and siblings in 1996, Vacharaesorn briefly returned to [[Bangkok]] on August 6, 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Denby |first=Kenneth |date=2023-08-07 |title=Thailand’s new king ‘neglected sons and forced wife into exile’ |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/thailand-s-new-king-neglected-sons-and-forced-wife-into-exile-ggtwzr6ls |access-date=2023-08-07 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-08-07 |title='ท่านอ้น' วัชรเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์ เดินทางกลับประเทศไทยครั้งแรก |url=https://www.thainewsonline.co/news/social/858096 |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=thainewsonline |language=th}}</ref><ref name=oo>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-08 |title=The second son of Thailand's king returns to the country unexpectedly after decades of estrangement |url=https://apnews.com/article/thailand-vajiralongkorn-king-son-returns-24599d730e7b3ebe2a054baee1a0dc6b |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=<!--Check author names-->|first= |title=King's second son back in Thailand after 27 years |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2625693/kings-second-son-back-in-thailand-after-27-years |access-date=2023-08-08}}</ref> == Early life and education == Vacharaesorn was born on May 27, 1981. When he was born, he has the rank of "[[Mom Chao]]" as Mom Chao Vacharaesorn Mahidol. He is the second son of King [[Vajiralongkorn|Maha Vajiralongkorn]] and [[Sujarinee Vivacharawongse]]. 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 1991, he attended [[Sunningdale School]] in [[Berkshire]], [[United Kingdom]], where he finished his primary education. Following this, Vacharaesorn and his older brother, [[Juthavachara Vivacharawongse|Juthavachara]], attended [[Harrow School]] in London.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-09 |title=ท่านอ้น: สายใยไม่เคยจางหาย ย้อนอดีต “วัชเรศร วิวัชรวงศ์” ในวันหวนคืนแผ่นดินไทย |url=https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles/c1vk123dk02o |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=BBC News ไทย |language=th}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-10 |title=Thai King’s exiled son returns – is he back in the royal fold? |url=https://royalcentral.co.uk/asia/thailand/thai-kings-exiled-son-returns-is-he-back-in-the-royal-fold-192150/ |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Royal Central |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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, FL|Gulfport]], Florida.<ref>[https://today.line.me/th/v2/article/peoOWW7 ประวัติท่านอ้น]</ref> 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|Suvarnabhumi airport]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=2023-08-08 |title=Thailand king’s estranged son makes surprise return after 27 years |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/08/thailand-king-estranged-son-surprise-return-royal-family-succession-vacharaesorn-vivacharawongse |access-date=2023-08-13 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> On 10 August, he visited several sites around Bangkok, as well as paying tribute to his ancestor [[Nangklao]].<ref name=":0" /> 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 Ayutthaya province|Phra Nakhon Si Ayuthaya province]] on 12 August and [[Siriraj Hospital]] in Bangkok on 13 August.<ref>{{Cite news |last=<!--Check author names-->|first= |title=HM King's sons visit Siriraj hospital |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2628578/hm-kings-sons-visit-siriraj-hospital |access-date=2023-08-13}}</ref> As [[Bajrakitiyabha|Princess Bajrakitiyabha]] remains in a [[coma]], Vajiralongkorn is under pressure to resolve the succession deadlock. It is widely believed that Vacharaesorn will be selected to fill the succession vacuum.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chachavalpongpun |first1=Pavin |title=Is There a Succession Crisis in the Thai Monarchy? |url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/there-succession-crisis-thai-monarchy |work=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nguyen |first1=James Morris and Son |title=King’s son from America spreads cheer in surprising and highly significant visit home |url=https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/08/10/kings-son-from-america-spreads-cheer-prince-vacharaesorn-vivacharawongse/ |work=Thai Examiner |date=10 August 2023}}</ref> == Careers == Vacharaesorn's first job was selling hot dogs at the Daytona 500 races shortly after arriving in the United States in 1996.<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref>[http://www.siamtownus.com/2016/New-1806000195-1.aspx คนไทยในแอลเอร่วมใจ หนุนกองทุน’ท่านอ้น’กว่า7พัน]</ref> == 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 City|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]].<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thai king’s son urges open discussion of royal insult laws |url=https://amp.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3235113/thai-kings-son-urges-open-discussion-royal-insult-law |work=South China Morning Post |date=19 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref> == References == {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Vivacharawongse, Vacharaesorn}} [[Category:Thai royalty|Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse]] [[Category:1981 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Mahidol family|Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse]] [[Category:Thai expatriates in the United States]] [[Category:20th-century Chakri dynasty]] [[Category:Children of Vajiralongkorn]] [[Category:21st-century Chakri dynasty]]'