Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin

Thousands of well wishers waving Thai flags and dressed in pink gathered Saturday to catch a glimpse of Thailand's ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has been hospitalized for more than two months and was to make a rare public appearance to celebrate his 82nd birthday. The palace has said that Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, is recovering from an inflammation of the lungs and is in no danger, but concerns about his health and the eventual succession have shaken the nation. The king, who had not appeared in public since Nov. 2, left the Bangkok hospital where he has been staying since Sept. 19 ... Read Full Story

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Monks chant. Elderly women pray. Schoolboys draw cheerful faces on get-well books. As Thailand gears up to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 82nd birthday on Saturday with fanfare, thousands of Thais are flocking daily to Siriraj Hospital to pray for the revered monarch, who has been in hospital since September 19. Dozens are camping out overnight this week, looking forward to a rare appearance on his birthday on Saturday. "It is going to a big day. I am waiting to see his face again and I think the whole country is waiting with me," said Suwana Kennamtheung, a 54-year-old housewife who has ... Read Full Story

Thailand's ailing 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a brief public appearance Monday, the second during his six-week hospitalization, easing concerns about his health that have shaken the public and the local stock market. Bhumibol was hospitalized on Sept. 19 with fever, fatigue and lack of appetite. Most Thais revere the monarch, who has been on the throne for 63 years, and are deeply unsure about what will happen in the politically divided nation at the eventual end of his reign. The king, accompanied by family members and a retinue of aides and nurses, appeared alert but weak as he was taken Monday evening by ... Read Full Story

Thai stocks dived in trading Thursday as anxiety over the health of the nation's revered king and fears of political instability pummelled the market for a second day running. The 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch and the unifying figure in a fragile country, has been in hospital for more than three weeks recovering from a lung infection and fever. Rumours of his deteriorating condition have rattled the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), which dropped 2.04 percent by Wednesday's close and plunged 8.22 percent at one point in trading Thursday. The market closed 5.30 percent down at 692.72 points. Concerns continued to ... Read Full Story

Thai stocks dived as low as eight percent in trading Thursday as anxiety over the health of the nation's revered king and fears of political instability pummelled the market for a second day running. The 81-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch and a unifying figure in a fragile country, has been in hospital for more than three weeks recovering from a lung infection and fever. Global rumours of his deteriorating condition have rattled the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), which plunged 8.22 percent at one point in trading Thursday, following a 2.04 percent drop at Wednesday's close. Concerns continued to linger despite ... Read Full Story