Osipi
Member - in Memoriam
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That is not how monarchy works. Prince Vajiralongkorn is the eldest son and heir and has been in that position for 44 years. His father officially appointed his only son, as successor on 28 December 1972. And that is it.
In my understanding the Crown Prince first wants to lead the nation in mourning and pay all respects to the late King before assuming the kingship indeed.
It is the same as in Belgium: after the death of King Baudouin: between his death on July 31st 1993 and the investiture of his successor on August 9th 1993 there was no King. The Government executed the royal prerogatives during these 10 days.
Apparently in Thailand, like in Belgium, the adagium Le Roi est mort, vive le Roi! does not count.
Actually, in 1972, he named both his son and his daughter as his successors and didn't specify who would follow him as King. I do not dispute that the Crown Prince will follow in his father's footsteps though.
Now that I've read up a bit more and watched the cremation ceremony of the King's elder sister, it makes a lot more sense to me today than yesterday that the Crown Prince would take time before ascending the throne and step into official duties. What we need to remember here is that this isn't just a monarchy in Thailand but its a Buddhist monarchy and their funereal practices are not only spread over a extensive period of mourning for the nation and its people but they there is a lot of reasons and meanings to each step that is taken. Now, I would find it quite odd if the Crown Prince were to step automatically right now into his role as King and go about business as usual when the entire country is in a period of mourning for a year and elaborate ceremonies and rituals that prepare the deceased to leave this world are yet to be celebrated.
All I can say is that they way they do things in Thailand is beautiful.
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