Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana

Royal Biography

Royal Biography

Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana (Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสุทิดา พัชรสุธาพิมลลักษณ พระบรมราชินี, RTGS: Suthida Phatcharasuthaphimonlak), born Suthida Tidjai (Thai: สุทิดา ติดใจ; 3 June 1978),[1] 

Early life and education

Suthida was born on 3 June 1978 to the Tidjai family, Kham (father) and Jangheang (mother). She is ethnically Hokkien, coming from a Thai Chinese family. She graduated from Hatyaiwittayalai Somboonkulkanya Middle School and Assumption University with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts in 2000.[1] Suthida was formerly a flight attendant for JALways – a Japan Airlines‘ subsidiary – from 2000 to 2003 and later Thai Airways International in 2003 until 2008.[3][4]

Military service

Suthida was appointed commander of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn‘s household guard, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in August 2014. In October 2016, international media reports labeled her as the designated king’s “consort“, despite the palace never officially declaring their relationship.[5][6]On 1 December 2016, she was appointed Commander of the Special Operations Unit of the Royal Security Command and promoted to the rank of general.[7][8] She reached her present rank after only six years of service. She has successfully completed several military training courses.[9]On 1 June 2017, she was appointed as acting commander of Royal Thai Aide-de-camp Department following the reorganization of the Royal Security Command.On 13 October 2017, she was named a Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao,[10] which bestows the title Than Phu Ying (Thai: ท่านผู้หญิง). She is the first female officer to receive this honour since 2004 and the first in the reign of King Rama X.

Queen consort

On 1 May 2019, Suthida was made Queen of Thailand by King Vajiralongkorn[2][11] whose coronation took place in Bangkok on 4–6 May 2019.[12] The marriage registration took place at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall in Bangkok, with her sister-in-law The Princess Royal Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and President of Privy Council Prem Tinsulanonda as witnesses.[13]On 10 May 2024, King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida presided over the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Phra Meru Grounds (Sanam Luang) in Bangkok. They were accompanied with the others members of the royal family.[14]

References

  1. “Thailand’s New Queen: Flight Attendant to Bodyguard to Royalty”. New York Times. Retrieved 2 May2019.
  2. พระราชโองการ ประกาศ เรื่อง สถาปนาสมเด็จพระราชินี(PDF). Ratchakitcha.soc.go.th. Ratchakitcha [Royal Thai Government Gazette]. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  3. ประกาศสํานักนายกรัฐมนตรี: เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์(PDF). Ratchakitcha.soc.go.th. Ratchakitcha [Royal Thai Government Gazette]. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  4. Palace Releases Queen Bio Ahead of Birthday
  5. Vijay Joshi; Natnicha Chuwiruch (14 October 2016). “Thai King’s Body at Grand Palace for People to Pay Respects”. Associated Press.
  6. David Sim (14 October 2016). “Huge crowds of weeping people line Bangkok streets to pay respects to King who was father of the nation”. International Business Times.
  7. ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง ให้นายทหารรับราชการ [พลโทหญิง สุทิดา วชิราลงกรณ์ ณ อยุธยา](PDF). Ratchakitcha.soc.go.th. Ratchakitcha [Royal Thai Government Gazette]. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  8. ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานยศทหารชั้นนายพล [พลเอกหญิง ให้แก่ พลโทหญิง สุทิดา วชิราลงกรณ์ ณ อยุธยา](PDF). Ratchakitcha.soc.go.th. Ratchakitcha [Royal Thai Government Gazette]. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  9. “Queen exudes military prowess”. Bangkok Post. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June2019.
  10. ประกาศ เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์จุลจอมเกล้า(PDF). ราชกิจจานุเบกษา (in Thai). 134 (51ข). 13 October 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2017.
  11. “พระราชประวัติ สมเด็จพระราชินีสุทิดา”. BBC News ไทย. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May2019 – via www.bbc.com.
  12. “A new Queen emerges in pre-coronation Thailand”. Asia Times. May 2019. Retrieved 1 May2019.
  13. “New queen named”. Bangkok Post. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May2019.
  14. “The Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2024”. Thailand NOW. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 2 December2024.