In Thailand, preparations are already underway for the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn which will take place between the 4th and 6th of May. Civil servants and other government workers now have to wear yellow shirts. And all over the country ceremonies are already underway. Tony Cheng travelled up to the far North of Thailand to witness one such event that has not performed in decades.

Deep in the thick jungles of Northern Thailand, an archaic ceremony, not seen for nearly 70 years. Palace officials bow to a portrait of the King and make offerings on this auspicious day. From an ornamental well, sacred water is transferred to a silver urn. After being prepared for transport, it is carried up the hill. This is the first step on a journey that will end in the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in May.

In every province in Thailand, similar ceremonies are taking place. The water will be transported to Bangkok, representative of a unified Kingdom, in which the King will bathe to complete his accession to the throne.

THONGTONG CHANTARANGSU STATE COUNCIL OF THAILAND "We use the water for its symbolic meaning to show he will transform from a human being to a God because of the Thai belief, according to the Brahmins, the king is a god from heaven."

Just down the road, no pomp and ceremony for these Akha tribespeople. They're coffee farmers, a crop not native to northern Thailand but now a mainstay of the local economy.

The introduction of coffee, and the integration of tribes like the Akha into mainstream Thai society, is in part due to the Royal family. And even up here in the hills far from Bangkok, they feel a strong allegiance to the throne.

INTHARIT WUIYAKU HEAD OF BAAN PANGKHON VILLAGE "In the past, we grew opium as our main crop. Then the queen came to visit these far away areas and encouraged us to change our illegal crops into coffee."

Back in the provincial capital Chiang Rai, the ceremonies continue.

TONY CHENG CHIANG RAI "The marchers are getting ready to set off in the procession to meet the sacred water which has already been gathered from Doi Tung and will ultimately be sent down to Bangkok to be part of the coronation ceremony."

To many Thai's this is an entirely new experience. The last coronation was 69 years ago. But the rituals and pageantry will continue until May the 6th when their new King ascends the throne, Tony Cheng CGTN Chiang Rai.