Thai crown prince takes throne as King Rama X

Thai crown prince becomes King Rama X
(Image credit: Dario PignatelliGetty Images)

On Thursday, 50 days after Thai King Bhumibol died, his only son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, accepted the throne in a televised ceremony. Officially King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, he will be known as King Rama X. The new king, 64, will not have his coronation until after King Bhumibol is cremated, at least a year after his death on Oct. 13.

Vajiralongkorn had requested the delay in accepting the crown so he could mourn along with the Thai people, but on Thursday, the accession was made retroactive. "A kingdom should not be without a monarch on the throne," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said after the ceremony. "The commencement of the new reign is therefore effective as of 13 October 2016."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.