The coronation was the first of its kind in almost 70 years, and marks what analysts say will be a more assertive reign under King Maha Vagiralongkorn
By Paritta Wangkiat and Shibani Mahtani Shibani Mahtani Reporter covering Southeast Asia Email Bio Follow May 6 at 7:21 AM BANGKOK — Standing like the monarchs before him on the balcony of the gilded Grand Palace before a sea of yellow-clad supporters, Thailand’s newly-crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn addressed tens of thousands of supporters Monday, his first public speech as king.
The elaborate ceremonies for Vajiralongkorn, 66, come three years after his ascension to the throne following the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016. The coronation was initially put off while Thailand marked a year-long period of mourning for the late king, but was then delayed without reason till May 4.
Hundreds of thousands similarly gathered on Monday for a glimpse of the new king. Among them was Viroj Thanmas and his family of four, all practicing Muslims who were fasting on the first day of the Ramadan holy month. “Over the past few years, we have been grieving the loss of the king [Rama IX],” she said. “Now we can celebrate a joyful occasion.”
Junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is seeking to extend his term as prime minister, was front and center in much of the coronation rituals, and read out a blessing to the new king on Monday evening. Criticism of the monarch is criminalized under Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws, the toughest in the world. Yet, in hushed tones, some Thais and analysts point out that Vajiralongkorn’s reputation and standing differs from his father, who as the world’s longest reigning monarch at the time of his death, was widely beloved across the country.
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