Nursing Students from Mahidol University pay respect to the King and wish him a speedy recovery at Siriraj Hospital yesterday.

His Majesty is recovering in Siriraj Hospital from surgery for spinal stenosis. Hiem signed a get-well book at the hospital on behalf of his country and people.

"So many Lao citizens have benefited from His Majesty's projects," the ambassador said.

It had been a great honour for Laos when Their Majesties the King and the Queen visited the country 12 years ago, he added.

Among the many high-profile figures to sign get-well messages at the hospital were Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Maj-General Kamol Kaewsuwan; the honorary consul to Cyprus, Chirayudh Vasuratana; deputy executive secretary for the United Nations Social and Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Shigeru Mochida; and the Defence Ministry's permanent secretary general, Sirichai Thanyasiri.

A follower of revered monk Luang Phor Khoon Parisuttho brought a vase of flowers to the hospital with a signed message from the elderly monk, who was also hospitalised recently.

Other well-wishers included look thung (Thai country) singers Yingyong Yodbua-ngarm and Supaporn Panprue, better known as "Look Nok"; a group of blind students; and many yellow-clad people.

The number of get-well messages for His Majesty now exceeded 200,000.

According to the Royal Household Bureau, His Majesty has been recovering well from the surgery. The King was exercising and walking better than previously. He sat in an armchair for a long while without feeling any pain, said the latest statement. Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda and Privy Councillor Palakorn Suwannarat visited His Majesty at the hospital yesterday. Many well-wishers around the hospital were delighted when HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana, who left the hospital's Chalerm Phrakiet building after an overnight stay, waved to them.