Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was originally expected to assume the throne the day his father died, but in a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the prince asked for the succession to be put off so he had time to mourn. File photo: Reuters
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed king of Thailand late Thursday, in a statement read on all television channels, ascending the throne 50 days after his father’s death.
“I agree to accept the wishes of the late king ... for the benefit of the entire Thai people,” he said, after being invited to take the throne by the head of junta-appointed parliament.
Vajiralongkorn, 64, who inherits one of the world’s richest monarchies as well as a politically troubled nation, ascends the throne 50 days after King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death.
The new monarch, received the title “His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun”.
He will be named Rama X of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty, but will not formally be crowned until after his father’s cremation, which is expected next year.
Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. Photo: AP
In this image made from video, Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, kneels under a portrait of his late father at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: AP
Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn participates in a Buddhist ceremony to mark 50 days since the death of his father at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Photo: AP
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (right) with his father, the late-King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2012. Vajiralongkorn will be named Rama X of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty, but will not formally be crowned until after his father’s cremation, which is expected next year. File photo: Reuters
Thai people light candles showing Thai script numbers representing the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L) and the future king at a park in Bangkok on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Bhumibol’s reign, which ended on October 13, spanned seven turmoil-laden decades, pockmarked by a communist insurgency, coups and street protests.
To many Thais Bhumibol was the only consistent force in a politically combustible country, his image burnished by ritual and shielded by a harsh royal defamation law.
Vajiralongkorn, who has been named successor for more than four decades, does not yet enjoy the same level of popularity.
He spends much of his time outside of the public eye, particularly in southern Germany where he owns property.
Thailand's future king, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn with Royal Consort Princess Srirasmi in 2006. File photo: Reuters
A woman holds a newspaper image of Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn outside of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Photo: AFP
Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn leaves the Grand Palace. Photo: Reuters
Thursday’s ascension ends a period of uncertainty which followed a shock junta announcement after Bhumibol’s death that the prince had asked to delay his official proclamation so he could mourn.
Thailand’s constitutional monarchy has limited formal powers.
But it draws the loyalty of much of the kingdom’s super-rich business elite as well as a military that dominates politics through its regular coups.
It is also protected from criticism by one of the world’s harshest lese majeste laws, carrying up to 15 years in jail for every charge of defaming the king, queen, heir or regent.
That law makes open discussion about the royal family’s role all but impossible inside the kingdom and means all media based inside the country routinely self-censor.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Thailand’s crown prince proclaimed new king
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