Thailand’s crown prince to be confirmed king on month later

Thai : Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is to be confirmed as the new king of Thailand on 1 December, a senior source has told the BBC.

Once confirmed, he is expected to endorse a new, military-drafted constitution and to start appointing his own team of senior royal officials.

His father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, died on 13 October, aged 88.

The government has declared a year-long official mourning period.

The widely revered king had served 70 years as head of state, and was seen as a stabilising figure, promoting economic development and social harmony in a country hit by cycles of political turmoil and multiple coups.