Crown prince formally becomes new monarch

Coronation will take place after his late father's cremation after a one-year mourning period

Thailand's new king on Friday made his first public appearance since ascending the throne the previous day, ending a period of uncertainty since the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct 13.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, took part in a merit-making ceremony at Bangkok's Grand Palace to mark 50 days since his father's death plunged the country into grief, a particularly auspicious funerary period in Thai Buddhism.