Story highlights Crown Prince: A succession process to replace Thai king is in placeThe exact timing of when the Crown Prince will ascend to the throne is still unknown(CNN) Three days after the death of Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose funeral rites began Friday after a 70-year reign, grieving has shifted to guessing regarding when the royal throne will be occupied. Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralonkorn, who was named successor to Bhumibol back in December 1972, wants to lay to rest speculation that's arisen as the southeast Asian nation mourns its longtime leader. Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attends the annual royal ploughing ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on May 13, 2015. In a statement on national television Saturday, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the Crown Prince has urged people not to "worry about the country's administration or even the succession." Bury the king, begin the speculationCiting the Crown Prince, the prime minister said the succession process was outlined long ago by "the Constitution, Royal Law, and tradition."

Source: CNN October 16, 2016 06:59 UTC