Thailand's newly-proclaimed King Vajiralongkorn - his name means "adorned with jewels or thunderbolts" - was born on 28 July 1952, the first son and second child of Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had succeeded to the throne unexpectedly six years previously. After decades of uncertainty over royal succession, the birth of a male heir was seen as vital for the monarchy, at a time when its primacy in Thailand's political hierarchy was uncertain. The absolute monarchy had been overthrown in 1932, followed by an abdication in 1935, and 11 years in which the country had no sitting king. Although a constitutional monarch, he will wield considerable power - for example, it is almost impossible for anyone in Thailand to reject the express wishes of the monarch.

He also has a decisive say over the Crown Property Bureau, by far the wealthiest institution in Thailand, with assets valued at between $30-40bn (£24-32bn), giving the palace largely untaxed annual income of around $300m. And he commands his own personal regiment of the Royal Guard, comprising an estimated 5,000 troops. German media outlet Manager Magazin reported last month that the newly ascendant King could have to pay more than $3.5 billion to the state of Bavaria under Germany’s inheritance tax laws. Thailand’s benchmark stock index has climbed about 7 percent since Bhumibol’s death, after falling in the week prior as his health deteriorated. The economic impact from the mourning period appears limited, with the Bank of Thailand leaving its 2016 growth forecast of 3.2 percent unchanged.

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