New King of Thailand: Prince Vajiralongkorn Proclaimed King Rama X

BANGKOK — Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn on Tuesday became the new monarch of Thailand, succeeding his father King Bhumibol who died seven weeks ago at 88.

Ending nearly two months of royal interregnum, the prince assumed the kingship as the 10th King of his dynasty just three days before a public holiday commemorating the birth of his late father, who was widely revered as a national father figure. His Majesty the King Vajiralongkorn, 64, has been the designated heir since 1972.

His ascension to the throne was announced, per the constitution, at about 11:20am by the National Legislative Assembly, an interim parliament serving as a rubber-stamp legislature under the military junta.

“My dear fellow members,” assembly chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said in a speech to the lawmakers. “Upon this most auspicious occasion, I would like to ask all members to stand up and offer praise to the new king.”

The presenting members then stood up and shouted in unison, “Long live the king!”

The new monarch will be known officially as His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Badinthorn Theppayawarangkool – which in Pali means “Vajiralongkorn Descended by Flesh and Blood of God Indra, Overlord of all Angels” – but Thais will mostly refer to him as Rama X, the 10th of the Chakri dynasty.

King Vajiralongkorn’s ascension to his kingship had been a subject of intense anticipation by many. The then-Crown Prince surprised the nation when he declined to take the throne immediately upon King Rama IX’s death on Oct. 13, breaking with a royal tradition of Le roi est mort, vive le roi.

The prince said at the time that he needed time to grieve for his late father, according to junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha, who met with His Royal Highness on the night of Oct. 13. In the subsequent weeks, Thailand went through a historic period of prolonged interregnum, and a Regent was appointed by constitution as a caretaker over the empty throne.

One more formality is left to complete the royal succession: assembly chairman Pornpetch will meet the new king in person and formally “invite” him to take throne. The function is purely ceremonial and could happen today or Wednesday.

As a king, His Majesty the King Vajiralongkorn will exercise his royal power as a constitutional monarch to sign legislation, hear oaths from newly appointed civil servants and represent Thailand as head of state. He will be the sovereign of Thailand’s government, justice system, bureaucracy and armed forces.

But King Vajiralongkorn will refrain from assuming the totality of royal functions as a monarch of the Chakri Dynasty until his official coronation, an elaborate religious ceremony that will take place after the cremation of his late father, likely some time late next year.

His first official duty as the new King will be presiding over state ceremonies on Dec. 5, which had been celebrated as both National Day, Father’s Day and the birthday of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2016/11/29/prince-vajiralongkorn-crowned-king-rama-x/