On 28 July 2012, Thais from all walks of life are celebrating the auspicious occasion of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday anniversary.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was born to Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit at Dusit Palace on 28 July 1952. He graduated and received a number of training courses in military affairs in line with his interests in this field.
HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn on 28 December 1972 was proclaimed the Crown Prince and Heir Apparent to the throne. On that day, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn took an oath at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, vowing to perform royal duties for the sake of the nation and the betterment of his Thai citizens.
HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has frequently accompanied Their Majesties the King and Queen upon their visits to many parts of Thailand. He has often visited Somdet Phrayuparaj hospitals under his royal patronage in remote areas of the country. He has also been performing many royal duties promoting public health, social welfare, foreign affairs, and education, as well as religious and legal functions. Some of them have been performed as designated by TM the King and Queen.
As for his roles in military affairs, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been in the military service since 9 January 1975, serving in many positions. He used to take part in military battle against terrorism in the northern and northeastern parts of the country. He also helped safeguard the areas around refugee camps for the Cambodians in the eastern province of Trat.
Due to his special interests in aviation, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn had received further trainings in the US, enabling him to fly many models of aircrafts. He won a military flying competition in Lop Buri province on 1 April 1987. In addition, he has been working as an instructor for F-5 E/F fighter aircraft operations in the Royal Thai Air Force since 4 May 1994.
Up to the present time, it can be seen how HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been following in royal footsteps of TM the King and Queen in promoting the well-being of Thai people since the day he took an oath to do so.
For the special occasion this year, the Bank of Thailand is printing two commemorative banknotes in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday.
The banknote to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday anniversary on 12 August 2012 is worth 80 baht, to be sold for 120 baht with a hard-paper cover.
As for the celebrations of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s fifth cycle, or 60th, birthday anniversary on 28 July 2012, 10 million commemorative banknotes ,worth 100 baht each, have been issued and will be in circulation from 27 July 2012 onwards.
The image on the front side is identical to the 15th series of the 100-baht banknotes presently in circulation. The special design on the back of the banknote includes a portrait of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and depicts the scene of His Royal Highness being conferred the title of Crown Prince.
