Hospitalized Thai king makes birthday appearance - Summary

Bangkok - Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej left hospital Saturday to make a brief but important public appearance to mark his 82nd birthday at which he urged his countrymen to work together. Thousands of well-wishers lined up along the road shouted "long live the king" as King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, left Siriraj Hospital shortly after 11 am (0400 GMT) for the Grand Palace.

He presided a birthday ceremony in an audience attended by the royal family, the cabinet, members of parliament and other leading figures in Thai society.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn extended the best wishes from the royal family, praised the king's long and virtuous rule and pledged to "do my duty for the country and people as your son."

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and House Speaker Chai Chidchob also extended congratulations and best wishes for the king's good health from the government and parliament on behalf of the people.

"My happiness depends on you who are the country's leadership," the king said in a statement he read with a hoarse but clear voice. "Happiness, progress will depend on everyone, every faction doing their duty and taking responsibility together," he added.

The ceremony lasted less than an hour. King Bhumibol, sitting in an electric wheelchair and accompanied by his doctors, returned to hospital immediately after his short speech.

It was the king's third public appearance since he was admitted to hospital on September 19 to be treated for respiratory problems, fatigue and fever.

Ongoing health complications forced the king to cancel several traditional birthday ceremonies and an annual speech usually delivered on the eve of his birthday.

Thailand's monarch for the past 63 years, he is deemed an important pillar of the country's long-term political stability.

Although as a constitutional monarch he wields no executive powers, Bhumibol's lifelong career in development work has earned him the love of Thailand's rural communities and praise as a pioneer of the "sufficiency economy" theory which has been endorsed by the United Nations.

"Your good works have been felt well beyond Thailand's borders," US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a birthday greeting. "In particular your efforts to advance sustainable small-scale agriculture in rural areas of Thailand are models for green development around the world," she added.

The king has also played a pivotal role as a moderator in Thailand's often tumultuous politics, bringing the country back from the brink of conflict on several occasions in the past.

Anti-government protesters loyal to ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra dropped plans for demonstrations last weekend out of respect for the king, whose extended hospital stay has added to political jitters and sparked at least one stock market tumble which the government blamed on unfounded rumors.

The government has prepared several high-tech events to mark the king's birthday celebrations, which will continue until December 13.

The government-run Communications Authority of Thailand has also launched a new website wwww.CandleForTheKing.com, that urges well-wishers to leave their virtual birthday greeting to the monarch.

It has been a tradition for Thais to gather nationwide and light a candle on the night of the king's birthday to mark the occasion.