Thailand: Crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn 'informally' accepts invitation to ascend the throne
The Thai parliament had submitted crown prince Vajiralongkorn’s name as the country’s new king on Tuesday.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Wednesday said that crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has “informally” accepted their invitation to take the throne. “The Crown Prince was known to have already accepted the invitation to become king. Everything has been done in accordance with the established procedures,” Xinhua news agency quoted Prawit as saying.
The Thai parliament had submitted crown prince Vajiralongkorn’s name as the country’s new king on Tuesday. He will be known as King Rama X, or the 10th king of the Chakri dynasty.
Vajiralongkorn’s father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on October 13, at the age of 88. King Adulyadej’s body will be cremated in an elaborate ceremony that may take place next year. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had declared a year-long mourning period following the king’s death. The official coronation of Prince Vajiralongkorn will take place only after the cremation.