A struggle has been taking place between factions backing either Vajiralongkorn or his sister, the beloved Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, over who would achieve royal primacy. Maha Chakri, however, has shown no interest in men, has vowed never to marry and apparently has never had any intention of producing an heir. 
The 60-year-old prince, on the other hand, is said to be regarded with loathing by many within royal circles for his associations with Chinese gangsters, his womanizing and his apparent refusal to adhere to royal rules, according to official US cables leaked in 2011 by the Wikileaks organization, verbatim copies of which were carried in Asia Sentinel. The King, before he apparently became incapacitated, came down firmly on the part of Vajiralongkorn despite his behavior. 
Thailand’s lèse-majesté rules, which have been tightened down in the past several years to forbid even the most innocuous criticisms of anyone connected to the royal family, have precluded all discussion of his demeanor. Nonetheless, much of conservative Thai society has been profoundly shocked by the prince’s behavior and that of Srirasmi. 
A video apparently made by a servant several years ago made the rounds, showing a 2001 birthday party for Srirasmi at the Nonthaburi palace. The topless crown princess later crouched down like a dog in the video. Thus the reputation for probity that the royal family aspires to has repeatedly been put in tatters by the prince’s behavior. 
“It is a part of a preparation for a smooth royal transition by eliminating the consort who could taint the process because of her undignified past,” said a Thai source. “The crown prince has a new wife, who has been promoted fast in the military and just gave birth to a baby boy. There seems to be a deal between the crown prince and the palace elites to eliminate Srirasmi, (also referred to as Srirasm), who has to this day been viewed with disgust because of her low-class background. Some elites even said that they would not prostrate in front of a bar girl.”