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| Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed king | Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed king |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, has become the country's new king, succeeding his much-revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej. | Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, has become the country's new king, succeeding his much-revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej. |
| He accepted the throne in a televised broadcast following an invitation from parliament, formalising his accession. | He accepted the throne in a televised broadcast following an invitation from parliament, formalising his accession. |
| King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died on 13 October. | King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died on 13 October. |
| 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. |
| The crown prince had been expected to become the next king the day after his father's death, 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 the next king the day after his father's death, but Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the time said that he had asked to delay the official proclamation so he could mourn. |
| Instead, the crown prince was anointed in a special ceremony 50 days after the death of the late Thai king. | Instead, the crown prince was anointed in a special ceremony 50 days after the death of the late Thai king. |
| He becomes King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, but will also be known as Rama X. | |
| "I would like to accept in order to fulfil his majesty's wishes and for the benefit of all Thais,'' he said in a televised statement. | |
| The broadcast showed one official shuffling on his knees to hand a microphone to the new king in the ceremony at the palace in Bangkok. | |
| Mr Prayuth, who was among top government figures attending, said the new king would become the "heart and soul" of the nation. | |
| Maha Vajiralongkorn was given the title of crown prince, making him the official heir, in 1972. | Maha Vajiralongkorn was given the title of crown prince, making him the official heir, in 1972. |
| He is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity as his father, and spends much of his time abroad. | He is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity as his father, and spends much of his time abroad. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Unknown to many Thais | |
| 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. |
| His 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. |