Second son of Thailand’s king makes surprise return after 27 years

The second-eldest son of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn visited a child-care centre for underprivileged families on Tuesday during a surprise visit to the kingdom, the first time he has been back in his homeland in 27 years.

The trip by Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, comes at a fraught time for the Thai royal family, with the monarch’s eldest daughter in a coma since December. Vacharaesorn, who works at a law firm in New York, visited the Foundation for Slum Child Care, which is supported by the royal family, and greeted well-wishers.

Clad in jeans and a casual black shirt, he posed for photographs in front of portraits of his father and his grandfather, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016 after a 70-year reign. “I am delighted to return … I have been away for a long time, 27 years,” Vacharaesorn told reporters at the Bangkok foundation.

“It is like a dream come true…