Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been proclaimed the country’s new king, succeeding his much-revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The prince accepted the throne in a TV broadcast following an invitation from parliament, formalizing his accession.
King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, died on October 13.
The late king was widely seen as a pillar of stability during seven decades of political turmoil in Thailand.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn had been expected to become the next king the day after his father’s death, but PM Prayuth Chan-ocha at the time said that he had asked to delay the official proclamation so he could mourn.
Instead, the prince was anointed in a special ceremony 50 days after the death of his father.
The crown prince becomes King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, but will also be known as Rama X.
“I would like to accept in order to fulfill his majesty’s wishes and for the benefit of all Thais,” he said in a TV statement.
Image source Wikimedia
The broadcast showed one official shuffling on his knees to hand a microphone to the new king in the ceremony at the palace in Bangkok.
Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was among top government figures attending, said the new king would become the “heart and soul” of the nation.
Maha Vajiralongkorn was given the title of crown prince, making him the official heir, in 1972.
He is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity as his father, and spends much of his time abroad.
The prince’s accession to the throne ends a period of uncertainty during which Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old former prime minister, has been serving as regent.
Thailand’s monarchy is protected from criticism by tough lèse-majesté laws, which restrict media discussion about the royal family’s role, including in the international press.
Most ordinary Thais know only a few details about who the crown prince is and how he lives his life.
In recent years he has tried to improve his profile – important because the king is traditionally seen as a guiding force in Thai politics, which is highly polarized.
Maha Vajiralongkorn’s coronation will not happen until after King Bhumibol’s cremation, expected next year.
Bhumibol’s own coronation took place four years after his brother King Ananda Mahidol died of gunshot wounds in mysterious circumstances.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, the world’s longest-reigning living monarch, celebrates 70 years since ascending to the throne.
The celebrations began with a religious ceremony in the capital Bangkok, led by 770 Buddhist monks, an auspicious number.
King Bhumibol, 88, is revered by Thais, for whom he has been a figure of stability through the country’s decades of political upheaval.
However, the monarch is in poor health and has not been seen in public for months.
On June 7, King Bhumibol had heart surgery, with what the palace said were “satisfactory results”.
The procedure, known as balloon surgery, was to widen his arteries after tests showed the king had insufficient blood in the heart muscles, the statement said.
King Bhumibol has spent much of the past few years in hospital, and his health is closely watched by Thais.
“The relationship between Thais and the King is deep, more than one can actually begin to explain,” Col. Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the royalist junta, said to Reuters.
“He is a father to the land.”
Several hundred people had gathered outside the palace on June 9 to wish the king well.
The king is not expected to make a public appearance.
King Bhumibol’s popularity stems partly from his long reign and service to Thai people, but also because he is seen as an arbiter in politics.
Thailand has been wracked by political strife in recent years and is currently governed by a military-led government.
Strict lese majeste laws ban any criticism of the king or the royal family.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has made a rare public appearance, amid concerns for his ailing health.
In TV footage released on December 14 by the palace he is seen swearing in judges at a Bangkok hospital where he has been staying.
The 88-year-old king has received treatment for a number of ailments including a lung infection.
The health of the monarch is of public concern as he is widely revered and seen as an arbiter in the country’s divided political arena.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who is the world’s longest serving monarch, was last seen in September in a video released by the palace.
Photo Reuters
The king missed his birthday celebrations for the second consecutive year on December 5. The event was marked by a cycling event last week in Bangkok led by his son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Palace officials did not give any further details of the king’s health on December 14.
King Bhumibol has been in and out of hospitals for the past few years and has had operations to remove his gallbladder and to treat hydrocephalus – an excessive build-up of fluid on the brain.
The monarch was re-admitted to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok in June, shortly after he was discharged.
King Bhumibol’s popularity stems partly from his long reign, but he is also seen as a pillar of stability in Thailand which has been wracked by political strife in recent years and is currently governed by a military-led government.
Strict lese majeste laws ban any criticism of King Bhumibol or the royal family.
Fresh concerns over the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand have been raised after he failed to appear for a scheduled event.
On November 21, King Bhumibol, 86, was due to preside over the confirmation of two ministers appointed by PM Prayuth Chan-ocha.
However, the ministers were told that King Bhumibol was unable to meet them.
The monarch has been staying at a hospital in Bangkok following an operation last month.
His health is a sensitive issue in Thailand.
Any discussion about the royal succession is tightly constrained by a stringent lèse-majesté law.
King Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has been on the throne for 67 years.
This website has updated its privacy policy in compliance with EU GDPR 2016/679. Please read this to review the updates about which personal data we collect on our site. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our updated policy. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
