BANGKOK Following an unprecedented seven-week vacuum, the formal accession of Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has brought some relief to the Thai people. Many are still grieving for the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
"I will accept [the invitation] in response to the late king's will and for the benefit of the Thai people," the new king said in a televised statement on Dec. 1 as he accepted parliament's invitation to become the 10th king of the 234-year-old Chakri dynasty -- the country's first royal succession in 70 years.
