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Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has become the new King of Thailand:
Thailand has its first new monarch in seven decades after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was formally proclaimed the 10th king in the Chakri Dynasty.
Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted the military-backed legislature's invitation to become King Rama X. The move announced Thursday was expected given that Vajiralongkorn was the only son and designated heir of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died Oct. 13 at age 88.
[...] Vajiralongkorn replaces the only monarch most Thais alive today have known and one who was seen as a symbol of continuity during a reign marked by dozens of changes in prime minister and 10 coups. The career soldier inherits control of a fortune that runs to the tens of billions of dollars and includes stakes in some of the nation's largest companies.
[...] Vajiralongkorn, the father of seven children, has been married three times. His personal life has been the subject of gossip on outlawed websites and in leaked diplomatic cables. He becomes king at a time when the institution's role in society faces increasing scrutiny after the political unrest that marred the twilight of his father's reign.
"Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn neither commands the respect nor displays the charisma of his beloved father," read a confidential U.S. cable from July 2009 addressed to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and released via WikiLeaks. "Nearly everyone expects the monarchy to shrink and change in function after succession." The royal palace doesn't comment on political matters.
(Score: 2) by AndyTheAbsurd on Friday December 02 2016, @08:55PM
In the past monarchies have pushed lots of dangerous and stupid ideas such as "divine right" and absolute authority.
Those weren't "dangerous and stupid", they were brilliant - provided you're the monarch or one of his heirs. They were a way for reigning monarchs to make sure that the power stayed with their family. If nothing else, it's likely to be successful from an evolutionary standpoint of allowing the monarch to have many descendants.
Please note my username before responding. You may have been trolled.