Thai Crown Prince Strips Wife of Royal Name

Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has asked to strip Princess Srirasmi of her royal surname, after seven of her family members were arrested on corruption charges.

Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Srirasmi. Photo: standard.co.uk

In a letter released yesterday, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn's secretary announced the decision to strip the royally bestowed surname Akharapongpreecha and ask those who previously had it to use their original surname. According to the Strait Times, the Thai royal family bestows surnames on individuals deemed to have made great contributions to the country.

The BBC said the move could be the first step towards divorce.

Princess Srirasmi’s family is in disrepute after investigations into family members for alleged extortion, oil smuggling, gambling and other crimes. Srirasmi’s uncle, Pongpat Chaiyapan, who once headed the Central Bureau of Investigation, has been charged with corruption and lese majeste, which carries a possible 15-year prison sentence. Four of the princess’s brothers and two other relatives have also been arrested.

Srirasmi, 42, is the third wife of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. They married in 2001 and have a nine-year-old son. Her full name was formerly Srirasmi Akharapongpreecha.

According to Vnexpress