Bangkok Post : Thais begin a day of joy

His Majesty the King left the hospital on Saturday to drive through the streets and grant an audience on his 82nd birthday.

Tens of thousands of subjects lined the streets to see His Majesty and members of the royal family as they drove from Siriraj Hospital to Chitrlada Palace for the audience.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the ceremonies at the palace. He thanked His Majesty for granting him the responsibility of attending to other parts of the birthday celebration.

The King, in his address, thanked the people for their warm greetings on his birthday.

His Majesty left the hospital in a wheelchair, wearing his full white royal uniform. He sat in a van on the two-way trip to the hospital, receiving the good wishes of the crowds.

The King was admitted to Siriraj hospital on Sept 19 with a lung infection and fever.

---

EARLIER REPORT:

Thais will be filled with joy today as His Majesty the King appears in public to preside over the royal ceremony to mark his 82nd birthday.

The event is eagerly anticipated by people across the nation as it will be the third time the King has appeared in public since he was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on Sept 19 for treatment for inflammation of his lungs.

Thousands are likely to throng the route from Siriraj Hospital to the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, where the King is giving an audience.

Royal family members, cabinet members, top state officials and MPs will be granted an audience to wish the monarch a happy birthday.

The ceremony is the only event which the King will attend as part of the celebrations to mark his birthday. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will represent the King at other functions.

On Oct 23, His Majesty the King appeared in public for the first time after spending more than a month in hospital.

Well-wishers at the hospital were given a welcome surprise when they saw the King come down from his hospital room on the 16th floor.

October 23 is Chulalongkorn Memorial Day. The nation commemorates the day when King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) passed away, 99 years ago.

Sitting on an electric wheelchair, His Majesty was accompanied by doctors, nurses and security officers. The King paid homage to the statue of King Chulalongkorn, his grandfather.

The King also paid homage to a statue of Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, his father, and a portrait of his late mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra Boromrajajonani.

On Nov 2, His Majesty the King appeared in public again when he joined the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital together with members of the royal family.

Karuna Sirilerkudomporn, 48, a government official, rejoices at the news the monarch is granting visitors an audience today.

She plans to take her family to wait along the route from the hospital to the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, to pay respects to the King and to wish him well.

"I have been watching the news all day to see which route His Majesty's motorcade will pass."

Nantana Saengsri, 55, a housewife, said she was overwhelmed with news of His Majesty leaving the hospital.

"I can't help myself but cry with joy. I wish I didn't have asthma which keeps me away from crowded places. I wish I could be among the crowds [today]," she said.

Poramain Rakdee, 30, a private officer, said he wouldn't miss today's festivities for the world.

Activities are being held nationwide to celebrate the King's birthday.

In Phuket, sea turtles will be released back to the sea as meritorious acts for the King. In Chiang Rai, blood donations will be made for the Thai Red Cross on the occasion of the King's birthday. Muslims in the southern border provinces will gather at mosques to pray for the King.