Thailand crowns king in ornate ceremonies; Xi congratulates

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Saturday completed intricate Buddhist and Brahmin rituals to symbolically transform him into a living god as the Southeast Asian nation officially crowned its first monarch in nearly seven decades.

King Vajiralongkorn, 66, became constitutional monarch after the death of his revered father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in October 2016 after 70 years on the throne.

King Vajiralongkorn sat erect and high on a throne above his queen, royal family members and Brahmin priests inside the Grand Palace throne hall where the royal guardian deity Phra Siam Devadhiraj is said to reside.

"I shall reign in righteousness for the benefits of the kingdom and the people forever," the king said in his first royal command, while sitting under a nine-tiered umbrella in full royal regalia including a gold-enameled, diamond-tipped crown.

Traditionally uttered after a king is crowned, the king's first royal command serves to capture the essence of his reign. The king's royal command was similar to that of his father's 69 years ago.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn also granted Queen Suthida, a former Thai Airways flight attendant, her full royal title.