New Thai king’s first duty is to honour late father
BANGKOK — Thailand’s new king on Friday carried out his first official duty, attending a solemn religious ceremony to honour his father and predecessor who died seven weeks ago.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun attended the Buddhist ceremony for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the morning after he was formally named the kingdom’s new monarch, the tenth in the 234-year-old Chakri dynasty.
Thailand has been in a state of national mourning since Bhumibol’s Oct. 13 death at age 88 after years of ill health, and public reaction to the installation of a new king has been muted.
Friday’s merit-making ceremony at Bangkok’s Grand Palace was one of many held around the nation to mark the 50th day since Bhumibol’s passing.