King calls for unity, asks people to perform duties to best ability

BANGKOK, Dec 5 (TNA) -- Thailand's ailing, revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Saturday called on his 63 million subjects to unite and called for everyone to work to their utmost ability so that the country could advance further and enjoy peace.

In his terse response to members of the royal family, senior government officials and members of parliament who gathered at Bangkok's Grand Palace to wish him happiness on his 82nd birthday celebrations, His Majesty the King said his happiness could be achieved "if the country prospers, is stable and is at peace."The king said this could be realised if every sector in the country is determined to perform its duty with utmost wisdom, understanding and sincerity by upholding the people's interests rather than themselves.

"I ask all of you present here and holding important positions in key institutions of our country, as well as all Thais (everywhere), to consider thoroughly your duty and determine to perform your duty to your best ability for the success of the country," said the king.

Saturday marked the third time that the king, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has made a public appearance since being admitted to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital on September 19 with a lung infection and fever.

The monarch was earlier seen in public twice -- once on October 23, Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, and once on the evening of Loy Krathong on November 2 – both within the hospital grounds after being admitted over two months ago.

Today, he granted a public audience at the Grand Palace's Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall.

After the brief ceremony at the Throne Hall, His Majesty the King returned to Siriraj Hospital.

Dressed in a white royal uniform and accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and members of the royal family later left the Grand Palace to return to the hospital in a motorcade as crowds of people lined the streets cheering "Long Live the King".

The remarks by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has been on the throne 63 years, on the occasion of his birthday celebrations came amid a sharp divisiveness in the country following a bloodless coup in September 2006 which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra whose administration was accused of corruption.

Mr Thaksin, now living in self-imposed exile overseas, is also accused of attempting to change the country's administration from that of a constitutional monarchy to that of a republic, but he denies the charges. (TNA)