(VOVworld) - Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed himself the new king of Thailand in a televised ceremony on Thursday after accepting an invitation from the parliament to ascend the throne. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) – Thailand’s parliament -  released a statement to announce the ascendance to the nation.

Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn becomes the new king of Thailand (Source: Reuters/VNA)

The same day, the Public Relations Department of the Royal Thai Government announced the title of the new monarch as "His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun". King Rama X’s formal coronation will take place after his father’s royal cremation at the end of 2017.