Thai officials have formally announced the name of the new king, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, formerly Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.<br/><br/>The name was released in a statement by Thailand's Public Relations Department today following a Buddhist rite marking 50 days since the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's death. Thailand's King Bhumibol died on Oct 13. <br/><br/>The monarchy was run by 96-year-old regent Prem Tinsulanonda after the former crown prince asked to delay the succession in order to grieve.<br/><br/>King Bhumibol, who died at the age of 88, was instrumental in reviving the prestige of the monarchy. He was widely seen as a stabilising force through an era of rapid change and decades of often violent political upheaval.