Thailand's Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. Pic: AP

The president of Thailand’s rubber-stamp parliament on Friday said the body will hold “an extraordinary meeting” on November 29, heightening speculation that it is poised to proclaim Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn king.

Vajiralongkorn is the named successor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died on October 13 aged 88, ending a seven-decade reign.

His father’s death plunged the kingdom into intense mourning.

It also prompted the Crown Prince to delay his proclamation as king in order to grieve with the nation, according to the junta that currently runs the country.

The timeline of his ascension to the throne is murky, with officials as well as the general public unwilling to take a punt on matters involving the monarchy—an institution protected by a tough lese majeste law.

But according to convention, the cabinet must put forward the new king’s name for parliamentary approval.

Then the assembly speaker has to formally invite the Crown Prince to become the monarch before proclaiming the new king to the public.

That process appears imminent, after junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha on Friday told reporters he would chair a cabinet get together on November 29, followed by a meeting of the National Legislative Assembly...

Source: Bangkokjack.