‘Thai Zhen Huan’? Why Chinese media named Thailand’s reinstated royal consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi after the fictional concubine from hit TV show Empresses in the Palace

Sep 9, 2020

Life imitating art? The return of royal consort Sineenat to the Thai palace has led to comparisons with the character Zhen Huan from Chinese drama series Empresses in the Palace. Photos: handouts

Former nurse and pilot Sineenat was removed from the royal palace because of her ‘disloyalty’ in challenging Queen Suthida, King Vajiralongkorn’s 4th wife – but a year later she’s back, attracting countless memes and comparisons to the fictional concubine who worked her way into the heart of Imperial China’s Forbidden City

From nurse and pilot, to Thailand’s first royal consort in almost a century, to a commoner – Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi is now back with her official titles reinstated. Almost a year ago, Sineenat was removed because of her “disloyalty” and “ambition” in challenging the status of Queen Suthida, King Vajiralongkorn’s fourth wife.

Sineenat’s surprise return to the palace has put the spotlight on the Thai royal’s private life, especially since it was officially stated that her titles were never “stripped off”.

The news has drawn the attention of Chinese media, even earning Sineenat the nickname “Thai Zhen Huan” in reference to the hit Chinese drama Empresses in the Palace (The Legend of Zhen Huan).