Crown prince asks Thais not to worry about succession
Xinhua, October 16, 2016 Adjust font size:
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has said that Thai people should not worry about the succession to the throne as it is specified by the constitution, the Palace Law and tradition.
The 63-year-old crown prince met with regent Prem Tinsulanonda and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha late Saturday, the Thai government said on its website.
Talking about the timing to ascend the throne, he said every Thai, including himself, has grieved over the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the right time to move on might be sometime after the funeral rites.
The late king will lie in state at the Grand Palace for months before a traditional royal cremation, while Buddhist monks will be chanting prayers besides the king's body for 100 days since Friday.
According to the Thai government, the crown prince's remarks were cited by Prime Minister Prayut in an address broadcast on the state TV at midnight on Saturday.
Prayut said he had informed the president of the National Legislative Assembly of the prince's will and he also wanted it to be known by people in the kingdom.
The public will be allowed to pay their last respects to the late king inside the Grand Palace from Oct. 28, the prime minister added.
The deeply-revered Thai king died on Thursday after 70 years on the throne. He was 88. Endit