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| Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed king | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been proclaimed Thailand's new king, 50 days after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. | |
| The prince accepted the throne following an invitation from parliament, formalising his accession. | |
| He becomes King Vajiralongkorn, the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty. | |
| King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died on 13 October. The government has declared a year-long official mourning period. | |
| Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, was given the title of crown prince, making him the official heir, in 1972. | |
| The late king was widely seen as a pillar of stability during seven decades of political turmoil in Thailand. | The late king was widely seen as a pillar of stability during seven decades of political turmoil in Thailand. |
| His son is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity as his father, and spends much of his time abroad. | His son is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity as his father, and spends much of his time abroad. |
| The crown prince had been expected to become king the day after his father died but Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the time said that he had asked to delay the official proclamation so he could mourn. | The crown prince had been expected to become king the day after his father died but Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the time said that he had asked to delay the official proclamation so he could mourn. |
| His accession to the throne ends a period of uncertainty during which Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old former prime minister, has been serving as regent. | |
| Thailand's monarchy is protected from criticism by tough lese-majeste laws, which restrict media discussion about the royal family's role, including in the international press. | Thailand's monarchy is protected from criticism by tough lese-majeste laws, which restrict media discussion about the royal family's role, including in the international press. |
| Most ordinary Thais know only a few details about who the crown prince is and how he lives his life. | Most ordinary Thais know only a few details about who the crown prince is and how he lives his life. |
| In recent years he has tried to improve his profile - important because the king is traditionally seen as a guiding force in Thai politics, which is highly polarised. | In recent years he has tried to improve his profile - important because the king is traditionally seen as a guiding force in Thai politics, which is highly polarised. |
| A formal coronation will not happen until after King Bhumibol's cremation, expected next year. | A formal coronation will not happen until after King Bhumibol's cremation, expected next year. |
| Bhumibol's own coronation took place four years after his brother King Ananda Mahidol died of gunshot wounds in mysterious circumstances. | Bhumibol's own coronation took place four years after his brother King Ananda Mahidol died of gunshot wounds in mysterious circumstances. |