Thailand’s crown prince becomes King Rama X

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed King Rama X in a pre-recorded address broadcast on television late on Thursday. King Vajiralongkorn, 64, granted an audience to Regent Prem Tinsulanonda, Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha and Head of Parliament Pornpetch Wichitcholchai at the Grand Palace in Bangkok and accepted the parliament’s formal invitation to become the new king. Heir apparent to the throne since 1972, Vajiralongkorn became the 10th king in the 234-year-old Chakri dynasty, which began with King Rama I. — dpa