BANGKOK, NOVEMBER 29: Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is set to become the country’s next king after the Cabinet today formally recommended his name of parliament, paving the way for his endorsement after the death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej last month.
“The NLA (National Legislative Assembly) has received the Cabinet’s resolution. The NLA will now invite the Crown Prince to accede to the throne and become the next King of Thailand,” NLA president Pornpetch Wichitichoichai said.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was also known as King Rama IX, died here on October 13 this year at the age of 88, plunging Thailand into mourning.
Today’s meeting put to rest the speculation over his succession when the junta made an announcement that the 63-year-old Crown Prince had asked at that time to delay his official proclamation so that he could mourn.
The meeting was attended by 243 lawmakers out of 250 NLA members.
At the end of the session, Pornpetch asked the attending lawmakers to stand up in a show of respect to “the new King”.
The meeting was held under the interim constitution under which the cabinet submits the heir’s name for acknowledgment.
The monarchy occupies a pivotal place in Thailand’s political order. King Bhumibol Adulyadej had been seen as a unifying figure amid periods of political unrest, including during the most recent military coup in 2014.
The leader of Thailand’s parliament, the National Legislative Assembly, is expected to meet with the crown prince in the next few days to formally invite him. Once the crown prince accepts, his succession would then be announced to the public, BBC reported.
But it is still not clear when that will happen.
Former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda is currently standing in as regent.
The Prince was born on July 28, 1952, as the second child and only son of Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and queen Sirikit.
Prince Vajiralongkorn completed his primary education in Bangkok, and later at private colleges in the United Kingdom and Australia.
He graduated from the Royal Military College of Duntroon in Canberra and the University of New South Wales in Australia, majoring in military studies.
He also has a bachelor’s degree in law from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
As an officer in the Thai military, he trained with the Australian, British and the US armed services. He also studied special forces demolition, unconventional warfare tactics and advanced navigation training.
He is also a qualified pilot of military helicopter and jet-fighter aircraft.
The Prince also holds the titles of Army General, Navy Admiral and Air Chief Marshall of the Air Force, Nation newspaper said.
In recent years, the Prince regularly represented King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit in several important state and royal functions.
Last year, he initiated two nationwide cycling events ‘Bike for Mom’ and ‘Bike for Dad’, in honour of his parents.
The Crown Prince has two daughters, Princess Bajra Kitiyabha and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, and a son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti.
