With the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol on Thursday — ending a remarkable 70-year-long reign and making Queen Elizabeth the world’s longest-reigning monarch — the line of succession continues through his only son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.
Unusually, the heir to Thailand’s throne, 64, won’t assume his royal duties immediately.
That’s because he has requested some time before his coronation to mourn with the Thai people for his much-loved father.
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But what do we actually know about Asia’s most powerful new royal? Here are five things that may surprise you.