His Majesty the King has vowed to "carry on, preserve, develop and reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the people" following the historic ceremonies that culminated in his kingship on Saturday.
The elaborate coronation ceremonies began early Saturday with the pivotal moment marked by His Majesty the King accepting the Great Crown of Victory, or Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut, along with the Royal Regalia, a procedure which completed the kingship process inside the Grand Palace.
At the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall, upon the completion of the ceremony, His Majesty the King set forth his intentions about how he would reign.
Earlier, the King took part in a purification bathing rite, in which he took a ceremonial bath with a shower of consecrated water, and a royal anointment ceremony in which he was anointed with coronation water.
His Majesty also designated Queen Suthida Her Majesty the Queen. Queen Suthida was named the new Queen on May 1 after his Majesty announced their marriage.
In the afternoon, His Majesty granted an audience to royal family members, privy councillors, cabinet members, senior government officials, diplomats and dignitaries, the King's first royal function after being crowned.
The King hosted the audience at the Amarindra Vinijaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace hours after the crowning ceremony.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represented the royal family in delivering a speech on their behalf. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke on behalf of the cabinet, armed forces, civil servants and the public. Privy councillors also attended the function.
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, represented the legislative branch and Supreme Court president Cheep Jullamon spoke for the judicial branch. All paid homage to the King on the occasion of his coronation.
HRH Princess Sirindhorn commended the King and promised loyalty to His Majesty. "On behalf of the royal family members, we are determined to show loyalty and perform our best for the Chakri Dynasty," she said.
The King, in his return message, thanked the audience. "I invited everyone in this congregation and all people to share my wish that they perform to the best of their ability in their various capacities and roles to help the country, and to pledge further prosperity for Thailand," His Majesty said.
After that, the King proceeded to the adjacent Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram where His Majesty declared his patronage of Buddhism before arriving at the Royal Pantheon where the statues of the previous kings are enshrined.
Then Their Majesties the King and Queen attended a ceremony where monks chanted the prayer of Benediction as Their Majesties paid homage to the royal relics and offered robes to monks inside the Dusit Throne Hall.
In the evening, officials performed a circumambulation ceremony around the Maha Monthira Group of buildings, which includes the Chakrapat Biman Royal Residence where Their Majesties spent the night.
The coronation for His Majesty was the first since that of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej on May 5, 1950.
Soldiers also fired a series of cannon salutes to pay respect to the pair.
