Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed king of Thailand late Thursday Dec 01,2016
Vajiralongkorn, 64, who inherits one of the world's richest monarchies as well as a politically troubled nation, ascends the throne 50 days after King Bhumibol Adulyadej's death.
After weeks of complex palace protocols the prince was invited by the head of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to ascend the throne in an event broadcast on all Thai television channels.
"I agree to accept the wishes of the late king... for the benefit of the entire Thai people," Vajiralongkorn, who was named heir for more than 40 years, said.
The sombre ceremony at his Bangkok palace was attended by junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the powerful head of the privy council and the chief of the NLA.
He becomes Rama X of Thailand's Chakri dynasty, but will not formally be crowned until after his father's cremation, which is expected next year.
Bhumibol's reign, which ended on October 13, spanned seven turmoil-laden decades, pockmarked by a communist insurgency, coups and street protests.
To many Thais Bhumibol was the only consistent force in a politically combustible country, his image burnished by ritual and shielded by a harsh royal defamation law.
Vajiralongkorn does not yet enjoy the same level of popularity.
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