Thai Crown Prince asks public not to worry over coronation
17 Oct 2016 9:48 PM GMT
Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has tried to dispel concerns over his surprise decision to delay coronation and asked the public “not to be confused or feel concerned” as he wants to join the citizens in mourning the demise of his father.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-O-Cha said the Crown Prince wanted people to take this time to keep to themselves fine memories of the past 70 years - during which the revered king Bhumibol Adulyadej ruled the politically volatile nation - before accepting the invitation to become the new king. King Bhumibol, the world’s longest ruling monarch, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88, leaving a void in the deeply polarised country of figures like him seen as unifying force. The coronation could take place some time after the royal cremation. Prayut said in his address to the nation late last night.
The Crown Prince wanted the people “not to be confused or feel concerned over the succession to the Throne because this matter is clearly stated in the Constitution, the Palace Law and traditions,” he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, Dy PM will choose a new president among themselves now that their chief, Prem, has become the regent.
Thai woman charged with royal slur
Thai police on Sunday charged a woman with royal defamation after a mob demanded action over a Facebook post allegedly smearing the “heir and regent”, as the country mourns King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thailand has one of the world’s harshest ‘lese majeste’ laws. The woman, who has not been named, was accused of posting a derogatory statement on Facebook on Friday, according to Thewes Pleumsud of Bo Pud police in the southeastern island of Koh Samui.
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