In photos: the coronation of the king of Thailand

BANGKOK.- The king of

Thailand

Maha Vajiralongkorn
It was officially crowned today at a sumptuous ceremony at the Grand Palace and immediately launched an appeal for "peace" in a country deeply divided after the parliamentary elections in March.

King Rama X (the 10th monarch of the Chakri Dynasty), aged 66, addressed Saturday members of the royal family and high dignitaries of the kingdom, including the current head of the the ruling junta, Prayut Chan -o-Cha, to ask them to help you work for "the well-being of the population for the main purpose of prosperity, national security, peace and happiness" of the Thais.

The monarch was then transported to a palanquin at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most sacred of the country, where he was proclaimed the true hierarch of Buddhism.

A few hours earlier, he had placed the "Great Crown of Victory", gold and diamonds, more than seven kilos, officially becoming the monarch of the Asian country, three years after the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej , an expectation because of the duel.

In pronouncing his first and brief royal order, he pledged to reign "with justice" for the benefit of the Thai people.

His fourth wife, Suthida, whom he married at a surprise ceremony a few days before the coronation, was invested as a queen, kneeling respectfully before her husband, seated on the throne.

The coronation represents a revival of the monarchy's power after the death of the revered king of Vajiralongkorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in October 2016, at the age of 88 years. The event is held amidst more than a decade of political confrontations, including a coup in 2014 and disputed elections there are less two months.

Most Thais have today observed for the first time the splendor and splendor of a coronation, as the last one had taken place in 1950. Rama X belongs to the Chakri Dynasty, which ruled Thailand since 1782.

Today 's act began at 10:09 local time, a time chosen according to the stars to be considered conducive to reign.

The ceremonies of this Saturday began with the king wearing a white coat. The monarch is sprinkled with sacred water from various parts of the country, while listening to a volley of canons and Buddhist chants.

For local religious, the coronation of Rama X also represents the transformation of the monarch of being human into a divine figure.

Hundreds of officials, all dressed in immaculate white uniforms, sided with the royal headquarters. Tourists and groups of Thais dressed in yellow shirts, color of the monarchy, gathered around the palace.

"I am proud to live in Thailand and to have a king who takes care of us," said Jakarin Kerdchok, a volunteer who worked for the ceremony.

Divided country

King Bhumibol, who died in 2016, was seen as a symbol of unity in a politically chaotic country. Rama X is less known because he jealously keeps his private life even though it is known that he has been married four times.

Since the death of his father, Vajiralongkorn has demonstrated his tactical ability and plays his influential role beyond his constitutional monarch status.

In the recent parliamentary elections held in Thailand, the king intervened directly twice. First of all, he closed the door to his sister's intentions to run for the position of prime minister of an opposition party, and then in a message he expressed his support for the # 39; army.

The generals had taken a blow in 2014 by claiming that they were acting for the defense of the monarchy. This idea was still defended by the party that supported the military junta in the elections of 24 March.

Desperate by the lack of disclosure of the final results, the Thai opposition formed an anti-junta coalition.

The opposition claims victory in the legislative elections, but the generals, reinforced by the support received from the royal palace, show no sign of willingness to yield power.

The army allocated more than 26 million euros to the ceremony and mobilized tens of thousands of public officials for the procession to greet the new king.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no foreign leader has been invited to ceremonies, according to "tradition".

AFP and AP agencies