Doctors order Thai king to cancel birthday ceremony

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej cancelled a public appearance on his 87th birthday on Friday on the advice of doctors, disappointing thousands camped outside the hospital hoping for a glimpse of the world's longest-reigning monarch.

The cancellation fuels mounting concern over the health of King Bhumibol, a god-like figure for many and widely seen as a unifying figure through years of political unrest.

"A team of royal physicians ... agreed that he is not ready to grant a royal audience and therefore doctors have recommended he cancel royal activities," the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement.

The cancellation will put a damper on public birthday celebrations, but did not come as a shock. The monarch has been visibly ailing for the last several years and last appeared in public in November.

Thousands gathered at the hospital after hearing the news, with most wearing yellow, a color associated with the monarchy. Some shouted "long live the king" and waved yellow flags while others held portraits.

"It doesn't matter whether he appears in public or not," said Thepwitoon Chim-ngog, 37. "I'm just happy that I'm here to show my loyalty to him."

However, his absence comes at a time of particular concern over his succession.

Next in line is Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. In recent weeks, members of the family of his wife, Princess Srirasm, have been arrested on charges of abusing their connections for financial benefit. Vajiralongkorn, 62, does not command the same respect as the king, who was closely and actively involved in his country's development efforts.  

Vajiralongkorn has been scheduled to fill in for the king at a small religious ceremony to be held Friday afternoon.

Thais hold great affection for Bhumibol, who took the throne in 1946. His speeches delivered the night before his birthday were listened to as the best gauge for Thailand's direction and moral guidance.

The king has in the past used birthday speeches to comment on the state of the nation or, as in 2001 with then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to criticize government leaders.

The king made several interventions in the 1970s and 1990s to call for calm during political upheaval but he was silent during the latest crisis, which began in November and culminated in the May 22 coup.

Wire services