Thailand is a country with a long history and deep culture, as well as a country of political turmoil and social **. In Thailand, the relationship between the royal family, the military, ** and the people is intricate, sometimes harmonious, sometimes conflicting, and attracts the attention of the world. In August 2023, an event occurred in Thailand that shocked the world, a member of the royal family who had been exiled for 27 years suddenly returned home, but ** after getting off the plane, causing a political storm.
Vachar Song is the half-brother of Thailand's current King Vajiralongkorn and the first member of the royal family to be born in the United States in Thai history. His mother was Yuwada, a cousin of King Bhumibol of Thailand and his fourth wife.
Vachar Song had four siblings, the most famous of whom was Suthida, who was the first lady of Thailand and the first deposed princess of Thailand. Vacharesong's childhood was not a happy one, his parents divorced when he was 14 years old, and his mother was accused of adultery, stripped of all titles and possessions, and deported.
Vachar Sang and his siblings were also banned from returning to Thailand and were confined to the United Kingdom and the United States. Their father, Bhumibol, also had little contact with them, and did not even attend the funeral when their mother died.
Educated in the United States, Vachar graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's degree in political science. He later worked in the financial industry in the United States and became a successful businessman. He also has an extensive social circle and has good relationships with many celebrities and politicians, including former US ** Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Although he lived overseas, Vachar Song did not forget his homeland and royal family. He has repeatedly stated that he hopes to return to Thailand one day, reconcile with his father and brother, and contribute to Thailand's development and stability. He has also expressed his patriotism and proximity to the Thai people through various channels.
A striking feature of Thai politics is the existence of two main political factions, the pro-military conservatives and the pro-democracy reformists. The confrontation and wrestling between these two factions has lasted for nearly 20 years, leading to many coups and ** activities, making Thailand's political situation unstable and social unrest.
The pro-military conservatives, mainly made up of the Thai royal family, military, bureaucrats and elites, support Thailand's constitutional monarchy, oppose political reforms, and maintain the existing social order and interest pattern. Their representative party is Thailand's National Power Party, which is led by current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and is the core force of the ruling coalition formed after 2019.
The pro-democracy reformists, mainly made up of Thai peasants, workers, middle-class and young students, demanded political reforms in Thailand that would limit the power of the royal family and military, expand democracy and freedom, and improve people's livelihood and welfare.
Their representative party is the Pheu Thai Party, which was founded by Yingluck, the sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and is the largest opposition party since 2019. The contradictions and conflicts between these two factions mainly revolve around the balance and adjustment of Thailand's royal power and democracy.
Conservatives believe that the royal family is the symbol and pillar of Thailand and should be treated with the highest respect and protection, and that any criticism and questioning of the royal family is a crime of disrespect and should be guaranteed and respected.
In August 2023, the news that Thailand's second prince, Vachar Song, suddenly announced that he was returning to Thailand after 27 years in exile, caused a sensation. What was his motivation for returning home?
According to some analyses and reports, Vachar Song's motives for returning to China may have been as follows: First, it was to reconcile with his father Bhumibol and mend the rift between them. Bhumibol was in his nineties and in poor health, and Vachar Song probably wanted to show him his filial piety and loyalty while he was still alive and to gain his forgiveness and approval. The second was to compete with his brother Vajiralongkorn for his throne and power.
Vajiralongkorn is the current king of Thailand, but his prestige and popularity are not high, and his private life and political positions have also been questioned and opposed by many people. Vachar Song may want to use his return to the country to show his royal status and proximity to the people, win the support and trust of the Thai people, and challenge the legitimacy and authority of Vajiralongkorn.
The third is to join forces with his sister Suthida against their enemies and competitors. Suthida is a former princess of Thailand and one of Thailand's most influential political figures. She used to support Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party, and clashed bitterly with pro-military conservatives. She was also once deposed and expelled by the royal family, but she still had a large following and wealth.
Vachar Song may want to use Suthida's power to fight against Prayuth**, the National Power Party, and even his brother Vajiralongkorn. Vachar Song's return to China has undoubtedly had a huge impact on Thailand. His return sparked tension and panic in Thailand, who immediately ordered his arrest and charged him with treason and disrespect.
The return of Thailand's second prince, Vachar Song, is one of the most important political events in Thailand in recent years. It not only reveals the internal contradictions and challenges of the Thai royal family, but also reflects the deep-seated problems and challenges of Thai politics. It is more likely to trigger one of the fiercest battles for the throne in Thai history, or even a big ** in Thai society.