Thailand’s Monarch Leaves Hospital Returning to the Palace

Published : March 01, 2010 :: 14:03:36 [ 1,233 views ]

Thailand’s revered monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej has left the confines of Siriraj Hospital on Sunday. King Bhumibol left the hospital, returning to the Chitrlada Palace to personally manage some official Royal Affairs.

Bangkok, the 28^th of February 2010 [PDN]: Leaving the Siriraj Hospital for the first time in over 4 months, having been admitted for treatment to a possible lung inflammation, King Bhumibol returned to his Chitrlada Palace on official business. His Majesty is believed to have been absent for approximately 4 hours before returning to the hospital to continue with his rehabilitation.

In a wheelchair, the King left his bed at the Siriraj Hospital, with his pet dog by his side, late on Saturday night. Rows of Royal subjects had gathered along the walkway to the awaiting van, shouting out encouragement in the form of “Long Live the King.” His Majesty was dressed in a pink shirt, pink being the colour which Royal medical practitioners have stated to represent healing.

The 82 year-old monarch, the longest reigning monarch in the world, has left hospital only twice in the last 4 months, once on Chulalongkorn Day and the other for Loy Kratong in November.

King Bhumibol is a revered icon to the Thai people and his absence and subsequent medical issues have caused public outcries of support on numerous occasions over the last four months. The King’s absence from the public eye is believed to have been a significant factor for the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s decline in October and November of last year.