His Majesty

I was in Pattaya last night with the remote control in my hands flicking rapidly through the channels when I stopped and went back to the one that had passed by in the blink of an eye — I’d seen something very interesting.

It was His Majesty King Bhumibol being pushed in a wheelchair, obviously at the hospital. Adoring Thais were seen everywhere in the background of the news footage.

I watched the news report to its conclusion. It was good to see His Majesty up and around, though the 81 year old monarch looked very weak after a month in the hospital, with a pillow propped behind his head in the wheelchair.

Hopefully his recovery will continue.

Here is the news report from today’s Bangkok Post:

King appears in public
Well-wishers at hospital given welcome surprise

* Published: 24/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News

His Majesty the King has appeared in public for the first time after spending more than a month in hospital being treated for inflammation of his lungs.

Hundreds of well-wishers crowding Siriraj Hospital’s compound to check for news updates were given a welcome surprise when they saw the King come down from his hospital ward on the 16th floor yesterday afternoon.

Sitting on a padded electric wheelchair, His Majesty was accompanied by doctors, nurses and security officers.

“Long Live the King,” cheered the people as the King travelled past lines of well-wishers to pay homage to the statue of King Rama V, his grandfather.

Yesterday was Chulalongkorn Memorial Day. The nation commemorated the day when King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) passed away 99 years ago.

Well-wishers, when seeing His Majesty, kneeled to pay their respects. Many were tearful while others yelled out loudly to wish the King a long life.

The King’s unannounced public appearance helped ease the concerns among many people about his health.

“My worries have now disappeared after living with rumours for weeks,” said Prapai Bunsawan, 79.

Like other people who signed a visitors’ book for the King, Ms Prapai urged politicians to stop arguing. Good deeds and a peaceful society would keep the King happy, she said.

His Majesty, who wore a blue shirt, was looking cheerful yesterday. He talked with doctors occasionally as cardiologist Pradit Panjawinin wheeled him round.

Dr Pradit is a director for Her Majesty the Queen’s Cardiac Centre at Siriraj Hospital.

The King also went to pay homage to a statue of Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, his father, and a portrait of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra Boromrajajonani, his mother.He also saw the exhibition of his late mother, held to celebrate the 109th anniversary of her birth on Oct 21, before moving on for a sightseeing tour around many areas of the hospital compound.