Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej was released from a hospital yesterday after more than three weeks of treatment for weakness on his body's right side and a colon infection.
Thousands of cheering, flag-waving well-wishers, as well as members of the royal family, were on hand as the king, 79, rolled out of a Bangkok hospital in an electric wheelchair, then rose to his feet and walked slowly with the assistance of a walker.
He smiled and stopped to speak to several people at the hospital, where Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and other government officials greeted the monarch on their knees.
Bhumibol, the longest-serving monarch, is a unifying figure in Thailand, which usually turns to him in times of crisis, even though his powers are limited as a constitutional monarch.
Official campaigning also began yesterday for the first general elections since then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in last year's coup, with 18 parties fielding candidates for a December 23 contest expected to yield no overwhelming winner.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
