Thai king completes coronation year with barge procession through old Bangkok

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida take part in a royal barge river procession along the Chao Praya river as part of the year-long celebrations of his coronation in Bangkok, Thailand, December 12, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Aboard a golden royal barge, King Maha Vajiralongkorn was rowed along the river winding through the oldest part of Bangkok on Thursday, as thousands of loyal Thais thronged the banks to see the final ritual of his drawn out coronation.

King Vajiralongkorn, also known as King Rama X, was formally crowned in May, during three days of ceremonies filled with ancient Brahmin and Buddhist rituals, but the barge procession marks the monarch's last journey in his ascent to the throne.