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Published on November 2, 2007

Nitya, who was in Tokyo for a meeting on the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, said Emperor Akihito had sent him the message for His Majesty, who has been receiving treatment at Bangok's Siriraj Hospital since October 13.

"The emperor and people of Japan are concerned about His Majesty's illness," he said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura also delivered a speech praising His Majesty and wishing HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana a swift recovery.

The Princess is being treated for cancer at Siriraj Hospital.

The Royal Household Bureau yesterday said His Majesty was performing exercises to gain strength and that his general condition was good.

In another statement, it said the Princess's condition was stable and she was able to eat some food. "Additional nourishment is still given intravenously. Medications and physical therapy are continuing," the statement said.

People continued to flock to the hospital to offer their wishes for His Majesty and the Princess, waiting in long lines for their turn to sign message books. Many schools brought students to the hospital.

Among the crowd of well-wishers yesterday was Kallaya Nantarattapan, 86, from Chiang Mai, who figures in one of the most memorable photos of His Majesty.

"My life is fulfilled because I once got an opportunity to get up close to His Majesty," the elderly woman said. "I wish I could receive another audience."

Her youngest daughter, 53, accompanied her from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Italian Ambassador Ignazio Di Pace and Sayed Golam Zahid, a representative of the Bangladesh Embassy, came to express their good wishes.

Four famous Maiko - traditional Japanese female performers who practice classical Japanese arts such as music, dancing, flower arrangement, tea-making and calligraphy - also came to sign get-well messages too.

They are in Bangkok for the first ever Maiko performance to be held outside Japan to mark the 120th anniversary of Thai-Japanese relations.

The Nation