Srirasmi Suwadee

Early life

Srirasmi Suwadee was born in Samut Songkhram Province to a family of modest means. She was the third of four children born to Aphirut and Wanthanee Suwadee, and has Mon descent from her mother side.

She attended college at Bangkok Business College and in 1993, at age 22, entered the service of Vajiralongkorn as a "lady-in-waiting". Srirasmi enrolled in Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 1997 and graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in management science. Vajiralongkorn personally bestowed her with her diploma. In 2007 she received a Master of Science degree in Family and Child's Development from Kasetsart University.

Marriage and family

Srirasmi married the Crown Prince of Thailand on 10 February 2001 in a private ceremony at the prince's Nonthaburi Palace. The public was informed of the event some time afterwards. The prince, who had married twice before and has children with his previous wives, stated it was his intention to settle down: "I am now 50 years old and think I should have a complete family." After the wedding, Srirasmi was styled Mom Srirasmi Mahidol na Ayudhya (Mahidol is the surname of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and King Ananda Mahidol, and the na Ayudhya designation signifies non-titled descendants of the Chakri Dynasty and their spouses.

On 14 February 2005, it was announced that Srirasmi was pregnant. On 29 April 2005, a son named Dipangkorn Rasmijoti was born via caesarean section at Siriraj Hospital. Because of the birth, she was granted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej the title "princess of Thailand" and style "Her Royal Highness" as the royal consort of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. A royal ceremony, called "Phra Ratchaphithi Somphot Duean Lae Khuen Phra U," to celebrate the first month of the baby was held on 17 June 2005 at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok.

Srirasmi initiated and launched the "Sai Yai Rak Chak Mae Su Luk" (Love and care from mother to children) campaign which promoted breast feeding. The campaign features images of her son.

In November 2009, a home video was released showing Vajiralongkorn and a topless Srirasmi celebrating the birthday of the prince's poodle dog. The media reported that this was indicative of the couple's decadent lifestyle.

Divorce and loss of title

A letter asking for Srirasmi's family to be stripped of their royal name was sent to the interior ministry in November 2014. The letter was sent by her husband, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, after allegations of corruption against seven of her relatives. On 11 December 2014, the Royal Thai Government Gazette announced that Srirasmi relinquished her royal title, presumably due to the corruption affairs that involved her family. Srirasmi was granted a payment of 200 million baht (US$6 million) by Maha Vajiralongkorn in exchange for her relinquishment. The money was paid out of the Crown Property Bureau, as confirmed by the Ministry of Finance.

Since Srirasmi's divorce, her parents, father Apiruj Suwadee and mother Wanthanee, were arrested for Lèse-majesté. The two later admitted to misusing their royal connection 12 years prior, which led to a former neighbor being jailed on a bogus fraud charges. Both were sentenced to five years in prison, which was reduced to two and a half years.

Titles

• 9 December 1971 – 10 February 2001: Srirasmi Suwadee.
• 10 February 2001 – 15 June 2005: Mom Srirasmi Mahidol na Ayudhya.
• 15 June 2005 – 11 December 2014: Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm, Consort to the Crown Prince.
• 11 December 2014 – present: Than Phu Ying Srirasmi Suwadee.

Royal decorations

• Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• Order of Ramkeerati [The Boy Scout Citation Medal] (First Class)
• King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)
• King Bhumibol Adulyadej Diamond Jubilee Medal (12/06/2006).