Thailand Begins Naming Prince Vajiralongkorn As New King

Thailand has begun the process of naming Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as the country's new king. Its parliament approved the sending of a formal invitation, which he has to accept before ascending to the throne.

The deeply revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, plunging Thailand into mourning.

The prince was widely expected to succeed his father, but officials had earlier said he wanted to postpone it by at least a year.

The official reason given was that he wanted to give the Thai people time to mourn his father before he became king.