02 March 2024 , 21:06
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The Thai Royal family may be facing a giant problem regarding succession after a messy marriage may prevent a royal from taking his rightful place.
The person most likely to become king, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse (also known as Vach), married an American woman. According to Thailand's laws, marrying a foreigner bars the royal from claiming the throne.
Vach and his wife also have two kids who are US citizens. This could make things even more difficult because they wouldn't be able to become king or queen either - even if their father ascends the throne. But the Thai Royal family is already facing a few scandals.
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Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn wants a shot at the throne (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)An investigation from the Daily Beast found that Vach owes $94,000 (£74,267) to American Express for not paying his credit card bills. He's also being sued for 2.55 million Canadian dollars ($1. 88 million,) by a law firm.
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But these amounts are small compared to his father's $40 billion fortune - Vach's inheritance. Vivacharawongse is the estranged son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and was exiled alongside his three brothers to live abroad when the then-crown prince announced a divorce from their mother.
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse is known as Vach in the US (AFP via Getty Images)Vach's wife, Elisa Garafano, is a civil servant in White Plains, New York. According to reports, Vach and Garafano were openly married for years. But now, there's a wrench in the story.
Vach recently told his friends that he is now divorced from Garafano, which would mean he once again has a claim to the throne. But there's no public record of their divorce, and he told The Daily Beast that "they're in the process of getting divorced."
According to the publication, Garafano did file for divorce, under seal. But two sources said that she suspended the divorce proceedings she initiated, and has told allies that she and Vach are not divorced, Garafano wants to be recognized along with her children.
A source who knows the family said: "Vach is still married to Elisa and they do still live together, but he very much wants to keep that fact, and the fact of their children, secret because of the impact it would have on his ambition to win the throne."
The royal 'heir' - pictured here with actor Mark Wahlberg - is likely to be denied the throne after breaking some common laws (instagram)The current king, the violent Maha Vajiralongkorn, became the oldest monarch ever to ascend to the Thai throne in 2016 at the age of 64. Rumours of ill-health have plagued his reign, adding a great sense of urgency to the search for his successor.
Vach's marriage has not been reported on in the Thai media, as it is illegal to criticise the monarchy in Thailand. Offenders are often thrown in jail for breaking the rules.
More surprisingly, however, his marriage has also not been reported on by mainstream media overseas, including the BBC and CNN, in recent profiles of Vach.
A second source spilled the beans to The Daily Beast, saying: "Vach and Elisa were openly married for years, but since he started competing for the throne he began trying to keep it hidden, and has told people he is now divorced, even in public comments on social media." The same person added: "Elisa insists they are still married."
When The Daily Beast asked if this meant he agreed that the divorce wasn't finished and he was still married to Elisa, Vach answered: "I am not conceding anything. I have no further comments on the intricacies of my private life and family arrangements. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have an ideal family situation."
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Vach also told The Daily Beast that he's no longer living at their old house near New York City. He got his own place and showed an email from a broker who was happy about him renting a new spot.