The Thai parliament says Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be invited to take his late father's place as king.
The news comes more than a month after the death of the much-loved King Bhumibol.
Established procedures say the prince will have to accept the invitation for him to be proclaimed king.
The 64-year-old prince can only be formally crowned after his father's cremation, which will take place next year.