Asia

Thailand's parliament starts process of naming new king

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this May 9, 2016, photo, Thailand's Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn is seated at the royal plowing ceremony in Bangkok. Thailand’s parliament has started the process of naming Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn the new king following the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, last month. Completing a formality, the Cabinet submitted Vajiralongkorn’s name to the National Assembly on Tuesday after a brief meeting. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2015, file photo, Thailand's Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn hosts a ceremony at the official opening of Ratchapakdi Park in Hua Hin, 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of Bangkok. Thailand’s parliament has started the process of naming Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn the new king following the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, last month. Completing a formality, the Cabinet submitted Vajiralongkorn’s name to the National Assembly on Tuesday after a brief meeting. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2009, file photo, Thailand's Queen Sirikit, right, walks with her son Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok. Thailand’s parliament has started the process of naming Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn the new king following the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, last month. Completing a formality, the Cabinet submitted Vajiralongkorn’s name to the National Assembly on Tuesday after a brief meeting. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File) (The Associated Press)

Thailand's parliament has started the process of naming Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn the new king following the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, last month.

Completing a formality, the Cabinet submitted Vajiralongkorn's name to the National Assembly on Tuesday after a brief meeting.

National Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai announced that Vajiralongkorn, who was named by Bhumibol as his heir, will now be invited to take the throne. He did not say when that will happen.