Thai King Long-Time Consort Becomes Queen

Thailand announced Wednesday that King Maha Vajiralongkorn's longtime consort Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya had become his fourth wife -- a surprise move just days before his coronation -- and bestowed her with the title Queen Suthida. Although she has been in the public eye for about three years, there has been little official information about her. She is reported to be 40 years old and to have previously worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways International. She joined the palace guard in 2014 and is commander of the king's bodyguard unit, currently holding a general's rank. Vajiralongkorn, who has had three previous marriages, became king after the death in October 2016 of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.