Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be crowned this weekend in a pageantry-laden ceremony flecked by Hindu and Buddhist ritual, as Rama X furthers his primacy over one of the world's richest monarchies and a kingdom beset by ulcerous political divides.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-king-names-his-consort-queen-days-before-coronation-215170">Thai king names his consort queen days before coronation</a>

The May 4-6 coronation comes more than two years after Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne at the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Bhumibol reigned over seven tumultuous decades and was revered by Thais as a symbol of unity in a politically chaotic country.

His fiercely private 66-year-old son -- Rama X of the Chakri dynasty -- is less well-known by his subjects, and makes frequent trips overseas.

On Saturday at the auspicious hour of 10:09 am the public will be given a rare window into the heart of Thai power as blanket television coverage of the three-day coronation begins.

It will start with King Vajiralongkorn's "purification" by water drawn from ponds and rivers followed by a presentation of holy water by the top Buddhist patriarch and Chief Brahmin.

Then, as he sits underneath an ornate nine-tiered umbrella inside the Grand Palace, will be handed the diamond-encrusted Great Crown of Victory and issue his first royal command.

The rituals "are a symbolic system to upgrade the king from human to god", according to Tongthong Chandransu, a researcher of royal ceremonies.&nbsp;

The following day Thais, who have not witnessed a coronation since Bhumibol's in 1950, will see the newly-crowned monarch as he is carried on a palanquin for seven kilometres through Bangkok's historic heart.&nbsp;

"I'm excited, it's a rare event... everyone respects the monarchy, it is the spiritual anchor for Thais," Surasak Nantaket, a 20-year-old student, told AFP.&nbsp;

The government has set aside 1 billion baht ($31 million) for the ceremony, according to the deputy prime minister.

Queen Suthida

Inscrutable and powerful, Vajiralongkorn rarely addresses the Thai public, leaving his views broadly unknown and much of his private life a mystery and subject to gossip and conjecture.

In an unexpected twist late Wednesday, the palace named his consort -- and deputy head of his security -- Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya as his fourth wife, making her Queen Suthida.

It has added to the mounting intrigue around the royal ceremony.

"Public curiosity, excitement and anticipation is naturally palpable and pervasive," said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak.

The coronation "underscores the paramount role of the monarchy in Thai society".

Thailand's monarchy is protected by one of the world's harshest royal defamation laws, making criticism or full analysis inside the kingdom all but impossible.

The Thai constitutional monarchy was established in 1932.

But recent actions -- notably to extinguish a bid by his elder sister to run for premier -- have shown an increasingly assertive crown.

The kingdom has been cut by political divisions for more than 13 years, with coups and violence toppling short-lived civilian governments.

Full results from a contentious March 24 general election, the first since generals again seized power in 2014, are due to be announced on May 9.

Historically the monarchy and army have survived in partnership.

The ruling junta, led by former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, wants to return as a civilian government and claims legitimacy from winning the popular vote.

But deadlock looms with an anti-junta bloc claiming most parliamentary seats and the right to form a government.

"The role of the crown will be key in restoring and ushering in some kind of a new normal, a new kind of political stability," said Thitinan.&nbsp;

Volunteer spirit

Since ascending the throne, Vajiralongkorn has repeatedly left his mark on the Thai bureaucracy.&nbsp;

Parliament has been shuttered since the palace reclaimed the land it stands on; police have been ordered to wear a short crew-cut, while the king's pointmen now sit on the influential privy council and manage his beefed-up security.

Significantly, the king transferred direct control of the Crown Property Bureau to himself, breaking the tradition of civilian stewardship of the hugely wealthy body.

In the absence of public debate on those moves, a wave of royal volunteerism has surged across the country ahead of the coronation.&nbsp;

Millions have signed up to clean streets, plant mangroves and repaint roads across the kingdom, while vast portraits of the king now stud virtually every street.

But not everyone is captivated by the ceremony.

"I'm not really interested," said one office worker, requesting anonymity, expressing concern at "changes under the new reign".

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be crowned this weekend in a pageantry-laden ceremony flecked by Hindu and Buddhist ritual, as Rama X furthers his primacy over one of the world's richest monarchies and a kingdom beset by ulcerous political divides.

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be crowned this weekend in a pageantry-laden ceremony flecked by Hindu and Buddhist ritual, as Rama X furthers his primacy over one of the world's richest monarchies and a kingdom beset by ulcerous political divides. Also read: Thai king names his consort queen days before coronation The May 4-6 coronation comes more than two years after Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne at the death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej. Bhumibol reigned over seven tumultuous decades and was revered by Thais as a symbol of unity in a politically chaotic country. His fiercely private 66-year-old son -- Rama X of the Chakri dynasty -- is less well-known by his subjects, and makes frequent trips overseas. On Saturday at the auspicious hour of 10:09 am the public will be given a rare window into the heart of Thai power as blanket television coverage of the three-day coronation begins. It will start with King Vajiralongkorn's "purification" by water drawn from ponds and rivers followed by a presentation of holy water by the top Buddhist patriarch and Chief Brahmin. Then, as he sits underneath an ornate nine-tiered umbrella inside the Grand Palace, will be handed the diamond-encrusted Great Crown of Victory and issue his first royal command. The rituals "are a symbolic system to upgrade the king from human to god", according to Tongthong Chandransu, a researcher of royal ceremonies. The following day Thais, who have not witnessed a coronation since Bhumibol's in 1950, will see the newly-crowned monarch as he is carried on a palanquin for seven kilometres through Bangkok's historic heart. "I'm excited, it's a rare event... everyone respects the monarchy, it is the spiritual anchor for Thais," Surasak Nantaket, a 20-year-old student, told AFP. The government has set aside 1 billion baht ($31 million) for the ceremony, according to the deputy prime minister. Queen Suthida Inscrutable and powerful, Vajiralongkorn rarely addresses the Thai public, leaving his views broadly unknown and much of his private life a mystery and subject to gossip and conjecture. In an unexpected twist late Wednesday, the palace named his consort -- and deputy head of his security -- Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya as his fourth wife, making her Queen Suthida. It has added to the mounting intrigue around the royal ceremony. "Public curiosity, excitement and anticipation is naturally palpable and pervasive," said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak. The coronation "underscores the paramount role of the monarchy in Thai society". Thailand's monarchy is protected by one of the world's harshest royal defamation laws, making criticism or full analysis inside the kingdom all but impossible. The Thai constitutional monarchy was established in 1932. But recent actions -- notably to extinguish a bid by his elder sister to run for premier -- have shown an increasingly assertive crown. The kingdom has been cut by political divisions for more than 13 years, with coups and violence toppling short-lived civilian governments. Full results from a contentious March 24 general election, the first since generals again seized power in 2014, are due to be announced on May 9. Historically the monarchy and army have survived in partnership. The ruling junta, led by former army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, wants to return as a civilian government and claims legitimacy from winning the popular vote. But deadlock looms with an anti-junta bloc claiming most parliamentary seats and the right to form a government. "The role of the crown will be key in restoring and ushering in some kind of a new normal, a new kind of political stability," said Thitinan. Volunteer spirit Since ascending the throne, Vajiralongkorn has repeatedly left his mark on the Thai bureaucracy. Parliament has been shuttered since the palace reclaimed the land it stands on; police have been ordered to wear a short crew-cut, while the king's pointmen now sit on the influential privy council and manage his beefed-up security. Significantly, the king transferred direct control of the Crown Property Bureau to himself, breaking the tradition of civilian stewardship of the hugely wealthy body. In the absence of public debate on those moves, a wave of royal volunteerism has surged across the country ahead of the coronation. Millions have signed up to clean streets, plant mangroves and repaint roads across the kingdom, while vast portraits of the king now stud virtually every street. But not everyone is captivated by the ceremony. "I'm not really interested," said one office worker, requesting anonymity, expressing concern at "changes under the new reign".

Thailand set for coronation of King Rama X, first in 69 years

Thailand crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has requested to delay his ascension to the throne to grieve his father&#39;s death, the world&#39;s longets reigning monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The date for the royal succession had been postponed for an unspecified period. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha sought to dispel any concerns about complications in the succession, saying the government was working as normal and the cabinet&#39;s administration work can continue seamlessly. Uncertainty about who takes over the throne could alarm financial markets, but the military government has been quick to quash any such speculation. &nbsp;

&quot;He asked the people not to be confused or worry about the country&#39;s administration or even about the succession,&quot; Prayuth said in a televised address.

The government has not set a date for the royal cremation but a deputy prime minister said the prince had asked that it be held after a year of mourning, and the coronation would take place after the cremation.

&quot;He said at this time everyone is sad, he is still sad, so every side should wait until we pass this sad time ... When the religious ceremony and funeral have passed for a while, then it will be an appropriate time to proceed,&quot; Prayuth said.

The formal procedure for him to become king, which involves the president of the legislature inviting him to ascend the throne, can happen at any time before his coronation.

But prince Vajiralongkorn does not enjoy the same adoration his father, who died on Thursday after seven decades on the throne. The prince has spent much of his life outside Thailand, often in Germany.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the head of the royal advisory council, a 96-year-old former army chief and prime minister, Prem Tinsulanonda, is standing in as regent.

(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The coronation of crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is likely delayed for a year as he sought more time to mourn his father, King Adulyadej

Thailand crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has requested to delay his ascension to the throne to grieve his father's death, the world's longets reigning monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The date for the royal succession had been postponed for an unspecified period. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha sought to dispel any concerns about complications in the succession, saying the government was working as normal and the cabinet's administration work can continue seamlessly. Uncertainty about who takes over the throne could alarm financial markets, but the military government has been quick to quash any such speculation. "He asked the people not to be confused or worry about the country's administration or even about the succession," Prayuth said in a televised address. The government has not set a date for the royal cremation but a deputy prime minister said the prince had asked that it be held after a year of mourning, and the coronation would take place after the cremation. "He said at this time everyone is sad, he is still sad, so every side should wait until we pass this sad time ... When the religious ceremony and funeral have passed for a while, then it will be an appropriate time to proceed," Prayuth said. The formal procedure for him to become king, which involves the president of the legislature inviting him to ascend the throne, can happen at any time before his coronation. But prince Vajiralongkorn does not enjoy the same adoration his father, who died on Thursday after seven decades on the throne. The prince has spent much of his life outside Thailand, often in Germany. Meanwhile, the head of the royal advisory council, a 96-year-old former army chief and prime minister, Prem Tinsulanonda, is standing in as regent. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Thai PM assures smooth succession as crown prince requests coronation after King's funeral

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Thailand set for coronation of King Rama X, first in 69 years

Thai PM assures smooth succession as crown prince requests coronation after King's funeral