Thai king is officially crowned, boosting his regal power
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn was officially crowned Saturday amid the splendour of the country’s Grand Palace, taking the central role in an elaborate, centuries-old royal ceremony that was last held almost seven decades ago.
The coronation represents a renewal of the monarchy’s power after the October 2016 death, at age 88, of Vajiralongkorn’s revered father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It also comes amid more than a decade of political strife, including a 2014 military coup and a contentious election less than two months ago.
After completing the rites Vajiralongkorn issued his post-coronation royal command, which is supposed to set the tone for his reign. It closely echoed the words of his father’s first command.
“I shall continue, preserve, and build upon the royal legacy and shall reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the people forever,” the king said, according to an unofficial translation.
The 66-year-old Vajiralongkorn has served as king for more than two years since assuming the throne. On Saturday he received his crown from the chief Brahmin, a Hindu priest who played a guiding role in the mixed Buddhisthindu ceremony, which was televised live across the nation on all channels.
The king, known as Rama X for being the 10th monarch in the Chakri dynasty, then placed the crown atop his head. The “Great Crown of Victory”, said to date from 1782, is 66 centimetres (26 inches) high, weighs 7.3 kilograms (16 pounds), and is ornamented with diamonds set in gold enamel. It was one of several pieces of royal regalia, including the Royal Sword of Victory and the Royal Fan and Fly Whisk, presented in homage to his power.
Absolute rule by kings ended with a 1932 revolution in Thailand that ushered in a constitutional monarchy. Nevertheless, Thai kings are regarded as almost divine and have been seen as a unifying presence in a country that has seen regular bouts of political instability as it rotates between elected governments and military rule.
Vajiralongkorn, since taking the throne, has tightened control over royal institutions and acted to increase his influence in his country’s administration. The powers he acquired centralise royal authority in his hands and make explicit his right to intervene in government affairs, especially in times of political crisis.
Like kings before him, Vajiralongkorn is protected by one of the world’s strictest lese majeste laws, which makes criticism of him and other top royals punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and has dampened open debate about the monarchy’s role in society.
Vajiralongkorn began Saturday’s coronation proceedings wearing a simple white robe as he entered a small pavilion, where he was briefly showered with water from several holy rivers and ponds and other sources. Other water was poured on him from old royal water vessels. The rite, known as the Royal Purification Ceremony, took place amid music from drums, conch shells and other instruments. Outside the palace, artillery was fired in a salute to the monarch.
A second rite, the Royal Anointment Ceremony, completed the consecration portion of his coronation, giving him the legitimacy of being a fully sovereign king. Vajiralongkorn — having changed into gold-embroidered royal vestments — was seated on an octagonal throne with the sides representing the cardinal points of the compass, and a dignitary seated at each point. Each poured holy water over the king’s hand, along with a ninth representing the heavens.
That rite ended with the monarch being presented with a nine-tiered white umbrella of State, symbolising his full consecration.
On Sunday there will be a 7-kilometre (4.3-mile) royal procession involving 343 men, in which the king will again be carried on his palanquin through nearby city streets to visit four important temples, allowing the public to pay homage to him.
Monday will see the king greet the public from the balcony of the Grand Palace in the late afternoon, and then hold a reception for the diplomatic corps.