Thailand’s King Makes Rare Appearance

Thailand’s ailing king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has made a rare public appearance.

In a television footage released on Monday by the palace, he is seen swearing in judges at a Bangkok hospital where he has been staying.

He has received treatment for a number of ailments including a lung infection.

The health of the 88-year-old monarch is of public concern as he is widely revered and seen as an arbiter in the country’s divided political arena.

The King, who is the world’s longest serving monarch, was last seen in September in a video released by the palace.

King Bhumibol has been in and out of hospitals for the past few years and has had operations to remove his gallbladder and to treat hydrocephalus; an excessive build-up of fluid on the brain.

He was readmitted to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok in June, shortly after he was discharged.

The King’s popularity stems partly from his long reign, but he is also seen as a pillar of stability in Thailand which has been wracked by political strife in recent years and is currently governed by a military-led government.

Strict lese majeste laws ban any criticism of him or the royal family.