King Bhumibol is gone

Thailand: Who's in charge now that King Bhumibol is gone?

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on Thursday after seven decades on the throne, plunging the country into intense mourning and no small amount of uncertainty.

"It's a complicated situation," said Patrick Jory, an expert on the Thai monarchy at the University of Queensland.

"The last time we were at this point was 70 years ago."

Bhumibol was not formally crowned until May 1950, more than four years after his brother, King Ananda Mahidol was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head under mysterious circumstances.

So with the King's death, who is currently in charge of the kingdom?

Under the 1924 Palace Law of Succession, the Thai king has absolute power to designate his successor.

Bhumibol's only son, Maha Vajiralongkorn, was officially appointed crown prince and heir apparent on December 28, 1972, at the age of 20.

In the event of the king's death, parliament should invite the designated heir to immediately assume the throne. However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Thursday that Vajiralongkorn "needs time to jointly mourn with the Thai people" before he succeeds his father.

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