Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn officially crowned - in pictures

The 66-year-old has served as king for more than two years since he assumed the throne

This screengrab shows Chief Brahmin Phra Ratcha Khru Vamadeb Muni (front) addressing Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn (left) during his coronation in Bangkok. AFP

This screengrab shows Chief Brahmin Phra Ratcha Khru Vamadeb Muni (front centre) addressing Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn during his coronation in Bangkok. AFP

This screengrab shows Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn as he is crowned during his coronation in Bangkok. AFP

This screengrab shows Thailand's Princess Sirindhorn (right) watch as Queen Suthida kneels in front of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (left) during his coronation in Bangkok. AFP

This screengrab shows Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn (left) attending the royal purification ceremony during his coronation in Bangkok. AFP

Thai navy members take part in a water procession for the coronation of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn as they sail down the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters

Thai senior officials attend the coronation ceremony of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The elaborate three-day traditional coronation ceremony of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn is a formal ceremony to complete the monarch's accession to the throne. EPA

This screengrab shows Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn as he is crowned during his coronation in Bangkok. AFP

This screengrab shows Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn as he was crowned during his coronation in Bangkok. AFP

Thai royal guards fire an artillery gun salute during the coronation ceremony of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The elaborate three-day traditional coronation ceremony of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn is a formal ceremony to complete the monarch's accession to the throne. EPA

Thai royal guards stand in position during the coronation ceremony of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The elaborate three-day traditional coronation ceremony of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn is a formal ceremony to complete the monarch's accession to the throne. EPA

Royal Guards attend the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters

Royal Guards attend the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn was officially crowned on Saturday in an elaborate centuries-old royal tradition that last happened seven decades ago.

The coronation represents a renewal of the monarchy's power after the October 2016 death of Vajiralongkorn's revered father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It also comes amid more than a decade of political strife, including a 2014 military coup and a contentious election less than two months ago.

The 66-year-old Vajiralongkorn has served as king for more than two years since he assumed the throne. On Saturday, he took the crown from the chief Brahmin, a Hindu priest who has played a guiding part in the mixed Buddhist-Hindu ceremony, during a televised ritual from the Grand Palace.

The 200-year-old, 7.3kg heavy crown was handed to the king, known as Rama X, as part of the third and final rite of the coronation ceremony, the presentation of royal regalia.

Earlier, the king wore a simple white robe as he entered a small pavilion where he was briefly showered with water from several holy rivers and ponds and other sources.

Other water was poured on him from old royal water vessels. The rite, known as the Royal Purification Ceremony, took place amid music from drums, conch shells and other instruments. Outside the palace, artillery was fired in a salute to the monarch.

On Sunday, there will be a 7km royal procession involving 343 men, some of them carrying the king through old Bangkok in an ornately decorated palanquin, allowing Thais to pay homage to their new king.

Monday will see the king greet the public from the balcony of the Grand Palace in the late afternoon and then hold a reception for the diplomatic corps.