5 things to know about the Thai King’s disgraced ex-princess and third wife, Srirasmi Suwadee
She had to leave her son behind when she and her family were imprisoned for crimes against the Thai royal family, but no one has seen Srirasmi Suwadee since 2014
1. She appeared in a leaked controversial video that displayed the decadence of the royal family
In the 2007 video, she and the then-prince celebrate the birthday of their dog Fufu, who purportedly held the rank of Air Chief Marshal. In the video, Srirasmi is seen in a G-string, at one point eating cake from a dog bowl on the floor. During this time, Thailand was reeling under a savage military coup.
2. She was stripped of her royal title in 2014 following accusations of her family’s corruption
In 2014, her uncle, parents, sister and three brothers were convicted of several crimes. They included lèse-majesté, or defaming the monarchy, which is a terrible crime in Thailand. Negative comments about the royal family can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Her parents pleaded guilty to these charges. In 2015, the elderly couple was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Srirasmi’s uncle was accused of smuggling and extortion in addition to lèse-majesté, and was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison. Her three brothers were sentenced to five and a half years each.
3. She was forced to leave her son behind
Her son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, is next in line to the throne after the king. There are photos online of her last meeting with him before she was forced to leave the royal house.
4. She is now living under house arrest – supposedly
