On Nov. 30, Thailand’s parliament began the procedure for inviting Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the new king, more than a month after the death of his much beloved father.
Thais are still in mourning over a month after the death of King Bhumibol the Great. Thousands of people are lining up to pay their respects at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, where the monarch is lying in state.
The late king must be cremated before Vajiralongkorn can ascend to the throne. Thailand will begin construction of a funeral pyre, and 8,000 people are expected to take part in the ceremony.
King Bhumibol ruled for 70 years and died on Oct. 13 at the age of 88.
As opposed to his father, Vajiralongkorn spent much of his life away from the country and is known as a playboy, despite criticism of royalty being illegal in thailand.
(NTD Television)
Front page image: Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vijiralongkorn (C) with other members of the Thai royal family. in Bangkok on Dec. 5, 2011. Credit: Pairoj/AFP/Getty Images
