Thai king appears in public first time in a month

BANGKOK, Oct 23 (TNA) - Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-serving monarch, appeared publicly Friday, for the first time after being hospitalised for more than a month.

Wearing a short-sleeved blue shirt and black trousers, the 81-year-old monarch was seen on national television in a wheelchair at Siriraj Hospital paying homage to the statue of his grandfather King Chulalongkorn who is being commemorated Friday as one of the great kings of Siam who contributed significantly to modernise the kingdom in various aspects including the bureaucracy and infrastructure more than a century ago.

King Bhumibol also paid respects to statues of his father and mother within the hospital compound.

The king's appearance brought great joy to his subjects waiting to get a glimpse of their beloved monarch at the hospital.

The Royal Household Bureau issued its 33rd statement Thursday, saying the monarch was recuperating and regaining strength. His overall condition is stable and he is reportedly enjoying his appetite and having normal sleep. A team of physicians continue to provide him with antibiotics and dietary supplements.

The bureau said it would no longer release daily updates regarding His Majesty's condition unless the condition remarkedly improves.

Doctors have asked the king to remain hospitalised so he can fully recover from a lung inflammation.

The disappearance from the public eye of the revered king has caused great concern and was linked to the largest decline in nearly two months in the bourse last Wednesday after rumours circulated among investors of a deterioration in the king's health. (TNA)