Thailand has a new king. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an invitation from parliament and succeeds his father 50 days after the widely loved and revered King Bhumibol died in October. The new King Maha Vajiralongkorn will also be known as Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty. He told people in a televised statement on Thursday: "I would like to accept the invitation for the benefit of the Thai people." Thailand's Prime Minister said: "May all the Thai people unite to pray that…he may long reign as an idol and guardian of the Thai people."
The coronation of the new king will not take place until after King Bhumibol's cremation. King Maha Vajiralongkorn was born in 1952. He went to schools in Australia and the UK and did military training in Australia. He has been to many different countries and has a home in Germany. Over the past few years, he has done more of his father's ceremonial duties when the late king needed medical treatment. He also organized and participated in high-profile charity events in the Thai capital Bangkok. One of his first acts will be to endorse Thailand's new constitution.
