Thai Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn to be proclaimed new king

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The Thai parliament confirmed on Tuesday that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is to become the country’s new king. Members pronounced "long live the new king" during a televised meeting.

Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, said late King Bhumibol Adulyadej had designated Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn as his heir apparent, thus the parliament formally invited the crown prince to be proclaimed as the king.

A general view of parliamentary meeting at Parliament House in Bangkok on November 29, 2016. THANAPORN PROMYAMYAI

At the end of the meeting, all members of the parliament stood up and hailed together "long live the new king."

Deeply-revered Adulyadej died on October 13 at the age of 88 after years of illness.

Vajiralongkorn, 64, was appointed the crown prince by his father in 1972.

Combo Picture released in 1955 of Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara and Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand posing with their first two children, Princess Ubol Ratana, the eldest, and Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. / AFP PHOTO

The crown prince still needs to accept the invitation in order for him to be formally proclaimed as the king, according to established procedure.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said earlier on Tuesday that "we expect an audience (with the prince) within the next one to two days."

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn watches the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony in central Bangkok, Thailand, May 13, 2015. FILE PHOTO

Once proclaimed king, the crown prince would become King Rama X, or the 10th king of the Chakri Dynasty founded in 1782, though his formal coronation will not happen before his father's royal cremation later next year.

For the royal cremation, a funeral pyre is going to be built soon, said the government.

(Source: Xinhua)