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Published on November 8, 2007

Wearing a pink blazer over a pink shirt, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was all radiant as he left Siriraj Hospital to the joy of the whole nation amid resounding chants of "Long live the King" from adoring yellow-clad people.

The King appeared in high spirits and was the centre of attention in the sea of yellow.

While pink is widely regarded an auspicious colour for His Majesty, yellow is the colour associated with his birthday and Thais wear it to show their loyalty to their beloved monarch.

His Majesty was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on October 13 with weakness on his right side and pain under his right ribcage. Since his admission, more than a million people have headed to this riverside medical facility to sign well-wishing messages for the revered monarch. Many had camped out at the hospital to show moral support for the King.

"I have been at the hospital since October 31," Kai Momsala, 77, said yesterday as she sat in a side alley to welcome His Majesty's discharge from the hospital.

The elderly woman had travelled from Maha Sarakham in the Northeast to Bangkok with the sole purpose of sending her best wishes to His Majesty.

"When I left home, I also brought some dried coconut leaf ribs with me. I intend to use them as a broom to clean three temples in dedication to His Majesty. I am going to sweep the temple floor now that His Majesty can leave the hospital," Kai said.

Aside from well-wishers who stayed overnight in the hospital compound, many more rushed to see His Majesty leave the hospital when they heard about his scheduled departure.

"My friends and I arrived here at 3am," Jantana Boonyakiat, 42, a vendor in the Pak Klong Market, said.

She and her friends also presented 14 lotus trays to the Royal Household Bureau to decorate along the route His Majesty was going to travel past.

"I am so glad to hear that His Majesty has recovered satisfactorily and is allowed to return to his palace," she said, "I am so happy and delighted, I couldn't sleep last night".

Prom Senawong, 90, left her hometown in Roi Et on Tuesday night and arrived at around 4am yesterday.

"I am overjoyed that His Majesty has recovered," she said.

The hospital and the route leading to the Chitralada Royal Villa was lined with well-wishers who waved photos of His Majesty and sang songs in his honour.

At about 11.30am, His Majesty came down from the 16th floor of the Chalermphrakiat Building in a wheelchair. HM Queen Sirikit, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, and HRH Princess Siribha Chudhabhorn were by his side.

As his wheelchair moved past his people, His Majesty waved and smiled.

His Majesty later stood up and walked with the help of a walker to pay respects to the statue of his late mother, HRH the Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother, at the Siriraj Centenary Building. He also brought out a camera to photograph his well-wishers.

Many of them cried tears of delight.

Later, His Majesty also walked to the statue of his late father, HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkhla, to pay his respects.

Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Privy Councillor Kasem Watanachai, Council for National Security acting chairman ACM Chalit Pukphasuk, Royal Thai Navy chief Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanon, Army chief General Anupong Paochinda and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin were at the hospital to greet His Majesty.

Surayud later said His Majesty thanked him for his regular visits during His Majesty's hospitalisation.

The Nation