Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Thailand’s king was crowned amid the nation’s political turmoil.
Vajiralongkorn has served as ruler since his father’s death
BANGKOK — Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn was officially crowned Saturday amid the splendor of the country’s Grand Palace, taking the central role in an 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 Buddhist-Hindu 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.
Absolute rule by kings ended with a 1932 revolution in Thailand that ushered in a constitutional monarchy. But Thai kings are regarded as almost divine and have been seen as a unifying presence in a country that has seen 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 centralize 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.
Vajiralongkorn inherits a nation in political turmoil, with the powerful army entrenched in government for five years after staging a coup in 2014. An election held in March has been widely seen as rigged through convoluted election laws to favor the military and its preferred candidate, Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup and has headed the government since then.