Thailand's parliament has invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to take his late father's place as king. The news comes more than a month after the death of the much-loved King Bhumibol. The prince is expected to accept the invitation in the next few days. The 64-year-old prince can only be formally crowned after his father's cremation, which will take place next year. 

A king for the kingdom! Maha Vajiralongkorn has ascended to the throne of Thailand. He will be known as King Rama the 10th.

Varialongkorn succeeds his father, Bhuimbol Adulyadej, who died at the age of 88 in October, after a long period of illness. Bhumipol had reigned for 70 years.

Vajiralongkorn had been expected to become king immediately but asked for time to grieve. Events to honor his late father – who was widely revered throughout Thailand - will continue for up to a year, and there will be no coronation until the end of that period.

This academic believes the new king will carry on much of the work undertaken by his father to modernize Thailand.

"I think it will be quite similar but there will be some differences as well, we have to understand that he is a military person so I would say we will see him in more in a ceremonial role. All of the 4,000 royal projects that have been going on for many years, these cannot be neglected, I believe he will have to play a role in promoting what has been done for the past 70 years and try to carry this one," said Virot Ali, associate dean of international affairs of Thammasat University.

Vajiralongkorn, who’s 64, was educated in the United Kingdom and Australia. He served in the Thai military as a pilot, and was decorated for combat against insurgents in the 1970s.

In more recent years, he’s lived in Germany. He’s been married three times.

There are many Thais who know very little about their new king, whose life so far has been rarely reported in the country’s media. However, in recent months, efforts have been made to raise his profile. 

In 2015, he led thousands of cyclists through the streets of Bangkok in two bike rides to honor his parents.

He’s also presided over funeral rites for his late father. 

There will be immense interest in his style of monarchy, in a country where the royal family has huge influence over daily life, and is seen as a guiding force in the nation’s politics.