BANGKOK: Thailand’s newly-crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn praised a show of “unity” at his first public address on the final day of an elaborate coronation on Monday, speaking to a sea of supporters and witnessed by the head of the junta that has led the divided country since a 2014 coup.

Walking onto a wooden balcony to the roar of the crowd, Vajiralongkorn said he was “truly happy” with the display.

“I want the unity shown here with this goodwill to be an encouraging sign for everybody, all sides to perform their duties for the prosperity of our country,” he said.

Thousands waiting below shouted “Long live the king!”, waved Thailand’s national flag and wore yellow hats — the colour representing the king’s birthday.

Before the remarks, junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha addressed the king from the ground, pledging “loyalty to his majesty and the great Chakri dynasty with our lives”.

Vajiralongkorn was accompanied by Thailand’s new Queen Suthida, whom he married in a formal ceremony days before the coronation.

The 66-year-old is the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty and ascended the throne in late 2016 after the death of his beloved father Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Not as well known, Vajiralongkorn spends a great deal of time in Germany and has been divorced three times.

The monarchy is shielded by some of the world’s harshest lese majeste laws, making any critical discussion about the king all but impossible.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2019