King signs new Constitution
His Majesty the King on April 6 signed the country’s new constitution – the 20th – giving it royal endorsement and setting in motion a process for the next general election, which is expected late next year. Through a court secretary, HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed the new charter’s promulgation on April 6 in a televised royal ceremony that included local and foreign dignitaries, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The new constitution was published in the Royal Gazette about an hour after the ceremony was completed. The solemn and ritual-laden ceremony, held at the historically significant Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, was broadcast nationwide. The ornate building served as the venue for the country’s parliament until the early 1970s. The King arrived at the throne hall at about 3pm, and the ceremony lasted slightly more than half an hour.
