Thai king to appear in public on his birthday: Royal Household Bureau

BANGKOK, Nov 30 (TNA) - The Royal Household Bureau announced on Monday that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is scheduled to appear in public to mark his 82th birthday on December 5.

The statement of the Royal Household Bureau said the monarch will grant a public audience to members of royal family, civil servants and members of parliament at the Grand Palace's Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall Saturday morning.

His Majesty the King has designated His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as his representative to perform religious and royal ceremonies on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

The Crown Prince will grant an audience to members of the diplomatic corps on behalf of the king at the Dusidalai Hall, Dusit Palace on December 8.

The king's birthday eve speech to the Thai public, normally held on December 4 each year at the Dusidalai Hall, will be postponed, according to the Royal Household Bureau.

The annual oath-taking ceremony and the parade for the "Trooping of the Colours" of the Royal Guards, earlier scheduled for Wednesday will also be postponed.

The world's longest-reigning monarch was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on September 19 with a lung infection and fever. His condition has improved, acccording to the Royal Household Bureau, but he remains hospitalised.

King Bhumibol made two public appearances since being admitted to hospital. (TNA)