Thai King coronation: What to watch for as Maha Vajiralongkorn is crowned

Mixture of Brahmin and Buddhist rituals will see new monarch consecrated as ‘living god’

The three-day coronation of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn this weekend includes a mixture of Buddhist and Brahmin traditions.

Thai royal practice reflects the traditions of ancient India, with the king transformed through ritual from a member of the royal family to a "Devaraja" or living god.

The king's new title will be revealed on the first day of the main coronation ceremony. It will be unveiled on a golden plaque where it has been inscribed, along with the king's horoscope, which is determined by a royal astrologer.

The king underwent a purification rite, the "Muratha Bhisek" earlier today. Dressed in white, he was showered in water gathered from nine sacred sources of water from around the country.

Scholars says this ceremony is a simplified version of a ritual performed in ancient Indian courts.

The king then changed into full royal uniform and sat on an eight-sided, carved wooden throne inside the Grand Palace where he received sacred water on his hands.

The water was poured by selected officials from eight directions, representing the cardinal and ordinal directions on a compass.

It was collected from 108 sources from around the country and blessed in temples by Buddhist monks and Brahmin priests.

After the purification and anointment, the king sat under a nine-tiered umbrella which signifies full kingship. He received the monarch's regalia, including five key objects: the great crown of victory, the sword of victory, the royal sceptre, the royal fan and fly whisk, and the royal slippers.

The king will later meet with royal family members, his privy council, and the cabinet, and senior officials at the Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall.

In the afternoon he will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to declare himself the patron of Buddhism, the religion followed by more than 90 per cent of Thais.

After the rituals, the king will attend a "housewarming" private ceremony at the Chakrapat Biman Royal Residence inside the Grand Palace Complex, accompanied by the female members of the royal family.

On Sunday morning the king will grant new royal titles to members of the royal family at the Amarindra Vinicchaya Throne Hall.

That afternoon, the king, seated in a palanquin, will be carried in a procession though Bangkok's old quarter, in a traditional display of the new monarch to the public.

He will visit three temples, Wat Bovoranives, Wat Rajabopidh, and Wat Phra Chetuphon, to pay homage to the main Buddha images and give alms to monks.

On Monday afternoon, King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, who he married on Wednesday, will greet the public from the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace before granting an audience with foreign diplomats.

Reuters