'No cause for concern'

His Majesty the King's health condition is no longer worrying, said his daughter HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak

"Now there is nothing to worry about his heart conditions and lung infections," she told officials at Thai embassy in Germany during her visit there.

Before his ongoing recovery from illnesses, HM the King had high fever and so weak that he was unable to walk. The conditions have improved after the first week of treatments, at Siriraj Hospital where he was admitted on September 19. "Now there is nothing to worry about his heart conditions and lung infections.

"What the doctors are taking care of now is a rehabilitative treament. As it's usual for elder people who are in beds for treatments for many days, they may not be able to walk stably. That is the only reason still keeping him in the hospital, as for the symptoms, the doctors say that there is nothing danger¬ous [to the King's health] now," she added.

During the past 27 days, up to 588,198 people have signed getwell messages for His Majesty the King at the Siriraj Hospital.

Yesterday alone, the number of the well wishers stood at 18,798.

Because the king has been much loved and revered, a large number of people showed up at the Siriraj Hospital to wish him a speedy and full recovery each day.

Yesterday, many people including Nabil Hussain Ashri, Saudi Arabia's Charge D' Affairs to Thailand were seen looking up to the Siriraj Hospital's Chalermphrakiat Building where the king was seeking treatment.

German Hans Gerhold said he had deep admiration for the Thai king.

"He's my role model. He has done so many things for other people espe¬cially Thais. And he has outstanding abilities in many areas including environment works and agriculture," Gerhold said.

 "His Majesty has made great contributions to the country. He's much more than the father of the nation," New Politics Party leader Sondhi Limthongkul said yesterday after he signed the getwell message at the hospital.

The government is planing grand celebrations to mark His Majesty the King's 82nd birthday in December, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

Activities to mark the special occasion will begin on December 1 and are expected to continue until December 13, Suthep said.

Suthep, in his capacity as chairman of the organising committee, said the celebrations would be held in three areas during December 17  Sanam Luang, the Royal Plaza and the adjacent area, and Rajdamnoen Avenue.

Suthep said state agencies and the private sector would be involved in organising the celebrations, which will include firework displays and a