Sixty-four-year-old Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn today became the king of Thailand, 50 days after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He accepted an invitation from the Thai parliament to succeed his brother, and was crowned at Bangkok’s Dusit Palace.
After weeks of complex palace protocols the prince was invited by the head of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to ascend the throne in an event broadcast on all Thai television channels.
Paying respect to his late father, Thailand’s new king kneelt in front a picture, as servants layed on the floor behind him in a deferential manner.
It is a scene reminiscent of classic musical The King and I, which was also set in Thailand when it was known as Siam.
He becomes Rama X of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty, but will not formally be crowned until after his father’s cremation, which is expected next year.
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