How to Pronounce Vajiralongkorn

Meaning and Context

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, born on July 28, 1952, and officially reigning as Rama X since his accession to the throne on December 1, 2016, is the tenth monarch of Thailand's Chakri dynasty. His reign has been characterized by a profound and direct consolidation of royal authority, markedly influencing the nation's political landscape, military affairs, and constitutional framework. Following the passing of his widely revered father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Vajiralongkorn's monarchy has navigated a period of intense political polarization in Thailand, with the king playing a decisive role from behind the scenes. His direct oversight of key army units and the Crown Property Bureau, which manages vast royal holdings, underscores his unique position as one of Southeast Asia's most powerful sovereigns. The Thai monarchy, under Rama X, remains a central and sacrosanct institution protected by strict lèse-majesté laws, deeply intertwined with the country's identity, governance, and ongoing political tensions between royalist-military elites and pro-democracy movements.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary Romanization, "Vajiralongkorn," is the most widely accepted and official spelling, derived from the Thai name วิรยาลงกรณ. However, alternative transliterations are common due to the challenges of rendering Thai script into the Roman alphabet. The most frequent variant is "Vajiralongkorn," which substitutes the 'j' for a 'y' sound, reflecting an alternative phonetic interpretation. Another seen spelling is "Vajiralongkorn," which is a simple typographical error. The royal title "Rama X" is consistently spelled with the Roman numeral ten. Common errors include misspellings such as "Vajiralongkorn" (omitting the 'i'), "Vajiralongkorn" (adding an extra 'r'), or "Vajiralongkon" (dropping the final 'r'). It is also important to note the correct use of his full ceremonial title, "King Maha Vajiralongkorn," where "Maha" denotes "great."

Example Sentences

Following a prolonged period of mourning for King Bhumibol, the coronation ceremonies for King Vajiralongkorn were held in May 2019, solidifying his formal status as Rama X.

Analysts often note that King Vajiralongkorn has taken a more hands-on approach to monarchy, frequently residing in Germany but exercising direct control over royal institutions in Thailand.

The enforcement of Thailand's strict lèse-majesté law has intensified during the reign of King Vajiralongkorn, leading to numerous prosecutions.

International observers scrutinize the political influence of King Vajiralongkorn, particularly his relationship with the Thai military and his role during periods of political crisis.

Despite the controversies, official state media and royalist segments of Thai society portray King Vajiralongkorn as a dedicated monarch working for the stability of the nation.

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