Thai palace releases candid photos of king's chief consort piloting a jet
The official Thai palace website crashed this week after it released unusually candid portraits of the king's newly-anointed consort.
The images of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's 'noble consort', Major-General Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, were released along with her official biography.
The former army nurse, 34, is the first woman to receive the rank in nearly a century.
Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi flies a fighter jet in a photo posted on the Thai palace website. EPA/AAP
In one of the action-packed images, Sineenat is seen piloting a fighter jet, while in another she wears combat fatigues.
A palace official says the site has now been fixed after crashing due to the volume of traffic.
Other photos released include Sineenat wearing a traditional Thai dress and sitting at the king's feet.
The candid photos were released by the Thai palace on its website. THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE
The King named his mistress as his 'chao khun phra', or royal noble consort, in front of his wife, the Thai Queen, in a ceremony on his 67th birthday earlier this year.
The King had Sineenat lay at his feet during the ceremony – as is Thai royal tradition - as he poured water over her head and officially anointed her live on television.
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkor named his mistress as his 'chao khun phra' or royal noble consort. THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE
Sineenat is the first official royal consort in decades, with the last Thai King to openly have multiple partners ruling in 1932.
At that time the nation was still ruled by an absolute monarch, making King Maha Vajiralongkor's decision to publicly recognise Sineenat all the more shocking.
Sineenat is a former army nurse and served as the King's bodyguard for a time.
A palace official says the site has now been fixed after crashing due to the volume of traffic. THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE
She was recognised for her service to the crown with four medals during the ceremony, including the 'most noble order of the crown of Thailand.'
Shockingly, the King's wife was sat right beside him as he anointed his mistress, but Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Aydhaya watched on emotionlessly as her husband publicly recognised Sineenat.
This is the first time in decades that the nation has had an openly polygamous leader. THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE
Until 2017 she too held the position of royal consort.
The Queen married King Maha Vajiralongkorn in a royal wedding ceremony two years ago, though she reportedly spends most of her time in Switzerland without her husband.
This is the first time in decades the nation has had an openly polygamous leader, but that's not the King's only unusual detail.
Sineenat is a former army nurse and served as the King's bodyguard for a time. THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE
He's already been married three times, with one of his former wives currently exiled to the US, has seven children, and is said to have an explosive temper.
He also threw a party in 2007 for his pet poodle, Fufu, who held the rank of Air Chief Marshall in the Thai armed forces.
Most viewed in Royals
Prince William and Kate back return to official duties with subtle nod to Prince Harry
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet start school in the UK: reports
Prince Harry source says country’s withdrawal from Invictus Games was a ‘consequence’ of King’s letter
Fresh blow for Prince Harry days after King’s letter clarifying his and Meghan’s royal status
