At a ceremony held in Bangkok on 1 December 2016, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn formally accepted an invitation to ascend the throne. The only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the designated heir to the crown. The 64-year-old is the tenth king of the Chakri dynasty becoming Rama X. His formal title is His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.
Following the death of his father on 13 October 2016, the Crown Prince did not immediately accept the crown. Instead, he advised the leader of the ruling military junta and the Thai parliament that he wanted time to mourn his father before accepting the invitation to ascend the throne. The special ceremony in Bangkok on 1 December 2016 came on an auspicious day that marked 50 days since the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
In line with Thai tradition, various Buddhist merit-making ceremonies were held for King Bhumibol Adulyadej ahead of his cremation which took place in October 2017 at Sanam Luang, the royal ceremonial field in front of the Grand Palace.
The coronation ceremony for King Rama X was held in Bangkok on 4 May 2019.
New Public Holidays for the King
King Vajiralongkorn was born in Bangkok on 28 July, 1952. His birthday in July is now an annual public holiday in Thailand. 4 May is also a public holiday for Coronation Day.
