Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn dismisses six palace officials

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn fired six of his palace staff members on October 23, just days after he stripped off his Royal Consort, Sineenat Wongvajirabhakdi of all her titles and military ranks after accusing her of being disloyal and ambitious. One of the fired staff members held the rank of a police lieutenant general with the Royal Household Bureau and was a representative of the palace in public events.

The lieutenant general was accused of actions that were deemed "evil" alongside misconduct and using his post for personal agendas. The other five who were dismissed were with the palace guard units.

Royal consort stripped of titles

This comes just days after the Thai King stripped his royal consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi of her titles, status, and military ranks on accusations of "misbehavior and disloyalty." This decision came in less than three months after she was honored with the respective titles on July 28. Sineenat was awarded the titles on the King's 67th birthday, the first time in nearly 100 years a Thai king had a Royal consort.

An official statement released by the Thai Royal Household announced that the decision was taken by the King because of her "ambition" in wanting to be "equivalent with the queen." The notice also revealed that Sineenat had previously attempted to obstruct the King's wife, Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya from being crowned.

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"Her actions are considered as disloyal, ungrateful, and ungracious of His Majesty's kindness," the notice said. "They caused division among the royal servants and led to misunderstanding among the public. These amount to acts of sabotages against the country and the monarchy."

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Rare images of Sineenat and King Maha Vajiralongkorn

Shortly after she became the royal consort, the Thai Royal Household, released rare pictures of Sineenat with the King. She could be seen dressed in a Thai formal attire sitting next to the King in some pictures. In another, the two can be seen holding hands. It is the King's fourth marriage and he has two daughters and five sons, only one of whom is officially recognized as a prince.

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(With inputs from agencies)