UPDATE - Thai crown prince proclaimed king

UPDATES TO INCLUDE PM'S COMMENTS

By Arun Saronchai

BANGKOK (AA) - Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn accepted parliament's invitation and officially ascended to the throne of the country late Thursday.

The procedure for royal succession began Tuesday when a cabinet motion was sent to parliament asking for the procedure to begin.

In a televised address, Vajiralongkorn accepted the invitation.

"I officially accept this invitation for the betterment of the Thai people," Vajiralongkorn said.

In a televised statement shortly after, prime minister-cum-junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha asked for the people to unite.

"Pray that the powers of the past kings protect the new monarch," he told the nation.

Chan-ocha added that the reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn would begin retroactively from Oct. 13.

"As for the new monarch's coronation, it will be at his discretion after his father's cremation next year," Chan-ocha said.

Vajiralongkorn had asked for time to mourn King Bhumibol Adulyadej -- who died Oct. 13 at the age of 88 after a long illness -- before he assumed the crown.

He does not, however, enjoy the same popularity as his father, whose 70-year reign was seen as a controlling factor in the kingdom's turbulent political history.

One of the first tasks for the newly crowned monarch will be to endorse a constitution drafted by Thailand’s military government which will pave the way for elections in 2017.