CROWN PRINCE MAHA
VA JIRALONGKORN IS THE NEW KING OF THAILAND
BANGKOK: Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed the new king of Thailand yesterday, his office said, opening a new chapter for the powerful monarchy in a country still mourning the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Vajiralongkorn, 64, who inherited one of the world’s richest monarchies, as well as a politically troubled nation, ascended the throne 50 days after his fathers’s death.
In complex protocols, the prince had granted an audience to grandees, including the Thai junta leader and the head of the National Legislative Assembly, who had invited Vajiralongkorn to become king.
“The Crown Prince will deliver an acceptance speech... after that he will pay his respects in front of a portrait of the king,” a statement said.
Buddhist temples across the country have been asked to beat drums and gongs after his proclamation.
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.
Bhumibol’s reign, which ended on Oct 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.
He has had three high-profile divorces, while a recent police corruption scandal linked to the family of his previous wife allowed the public a rare glimpse of palace affairs.
Yesterday’s ascension would end 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.
Convictions for so-called “112” — named after its criminal code — have skyrocketed since generals seized power in 2014.