Thailand parliament invites prince to become new kingBANGKOK--Thailand's parliament on Tuesday invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the next king, resolving lingering anxiety over his accession following his father's death last month. The country has been plunged into mourning since widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on Oct. 13, ending a remarkable seven-decade reign and removing a key pillar of unity in a bitterly divided nation. "I will invite the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to succeed to the throne and become king of the Thai people," Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, head of the rubber stamp National Legislative Assembly said. According to protocol, the assembly speaker will now seek a royal audience with the prince to invite him to ascend the throne, the last step before being proclaimed the new monarch. Vajiralongkorn, 64, has been the named successor to Bhumibol for more than four decades.

Source: The China Post November 29, 2016 16:28 UTC