BANGKOK: Thailand's palace has released rare images and a biography of the king's newly anointed royal consort, including both candid and action-packed photos of her aiming a weapon on a firing range, piloting a plane, and preparing to parachute.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn bestowed the rank of "Chao Khun Phra" or noble consort on the 34-year-old former army nurse Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi on his 67th birthday in July.
She is the first woman to receive the noble rank in nearly a century.
The publication of the more than 60 photos and a 46-page biography was dated last week, but did not start circulating online until Monday.
"The king has ordered the creation of a royal biography for Chao Khun Phra Sineenat Bilaskalayani," a statement from the Royal Office said, using her full title.
The images and details provide an unusually intimate glimpse into the private lives of the powerful, ultra-wealthy and inscrutable monarchy, which is protected by a royal insult law that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison per count.
They show Sineenat in camouflage fatigues, taking part in military drills, flying a small plane, and laughing at a table with the king, both wearing casual clothes.