Thai king to pay homage to ancestors ahead of coronation
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida and Princess Bajrakitiyabha leave after paying their respect at the statue of King Rama I in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Panumas Sanguanwong
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn will pay homage to his ancestors on Thursday as part of preparations for his elaborate coronation ceremonies this weekend.
The coronation, which takes place from Saturday to Monday, will be the first the country has seen in 69 years, since his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was crowned in 1950.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, is also known by the title of King Rama X. He became a constitutional monarch after the death of his revered father in October 2016, after 70 years on the throne.
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida and Princess Bajrakitiyabha leave after paying their respect at the statue of King Rama I in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Panumas Sanguanwong
On Thursday evening, the king will pay respects to his forefathers at statues of King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, a venerated 19th century moderniser, and King Rama I, who founded the Chakri dynasty in the late 18th century.
He will also make offerings to sacred spirits.
The king is expected to be accompanied by his new wife, the deputy head of his personal guard force whom he married on Wednesday.
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida and Princess Bajrakitiyabha leave after paying their respect at the statue of King Rama V at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. Pool via Reuters
In a surprise announcement after the wedding, General Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya was named queen.
(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida leave after paying their respect at the statue of King Rama V at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. REUTERS/StringerThailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida arrive before paying their respect at the statue of King Rama I in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Panumas SanguanwongThailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida leave after paying their respect at the statue of King Rama V at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. Pool via Reuters.Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida pay their respect at the statue of King Rama V at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. Pool via ReutersA man wearing a yellow shirt holds up a picture of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn as he waits for his arrival near the statue of King Rama I in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaA man along with a boy rides a bicycle near the portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn near the Grand Palace, ahead of the King's coronation, in Bangkok, Thailand May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarLights illuminate the Grand Palace during sunset, ahead of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's coronation, in Bangkok, Thailand May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarA woman poses for a picture outside the Grand Palace, ahead of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's coronation, in Bangkok, Thailand May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarA police officer stands guard near the Grand Palace, ahead of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's coronation, in Bangkok, Thailand May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar
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