King Maha Vajiralongkorn crowned Rama X of Thailand

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King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Rama X of Thailand, was crowned Saturday in a dazzling show of pageantry, laced with Hindu and Buddhist ritual, vowing to reign "with righteousness" on behalf of the Thai people.

The elaborate rituals, broadcast live on Thai television, began at the auspicious time of 10:09 a.m. (0309 GMT).

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, donning white robes, undergoes a purification ritual during a ceremony before being officially crowned in Bangkok, Thailand, May 4, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Saturday's somber ceremony began with the white-gowned king, the folds of his robe leaving one shoulder bared, anointing himself with sacred water from across Thailand, wiping it gently across his face at a shrine inside the Grand Palace complex.

King Vajiralongkorn is known as Rama X, the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty.

Royal guards fire a series of canon salutes during the coronation ceremony of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Thailand, May 4, 2019. /Reuters Photo

A canon-salute marked the moment as horns and pipes played and Buddhist monks chanted. Hindu Brahmins were also in attendance at the syncretic ceremony, which symbolizes Rama X's transformation from a human to divine figure.

He later took his seat under the umbrella of state and was handed the Great Crown of Victory, a tiered gold 7.3-kilogram (16-pound) headpiece topped by a diamond from India.

For most Thais, it is the first time they have witnessed a coronation, the last was in 1950 for the king's beloved father Bhumibol Adulyadej.

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Maha Vajiralongkorn is the only son of former King Bhumibol, who ruled the nation for seven decades.

Like many members of the Thai royal family, Vajiralongkorn was educated in the West.

He took advanced military courses and spent much of his life as an officer in the Royal Thai army. He officially became crown prince at the age of 20 in 1972.

Calling on all Thais to work together for prosperity

On Saturday afternoon, the new king with the crown on his head granted an audience with royal family members and officials, who congratulated him at the Amarindra Vinijaya Mahaisuraya Biman Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.

His sister, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, represented the royal family which she told the king will be devoted, honest and loyal, and will work hard.

Royal Guards walk into Grand Palace before the coronation of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X) in Bangkok, Thailand, May 4th, 2019. /VCG Photo

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha representing the cabinet, armed forces, civil servants and the public, along with Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, the president of the National Legislative Assembly and Supreme Court president Cheep Jullamon, all paid homage to the king on the occasion of his coronation.

The king thanked all the participants and asked all Thais to work hard together with him according to each person's job and responsibility for national prosperity and the well-being of the people.

After the audience, the king walked to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha inside the grounds of the Grand Palace, where he was named Upholder of Buddhism, which is another ritual of the coronation ceremonies.

The ceremonies last for three days from Saturday.

3300km

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency