Thai king to make rare appearance on birthday

By Vithoon Amorn and Ploy Ten Kate

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej will appear in public on Saturday at Bangkok's Grand Palace on his 82nd birthday, but his traditional birthday eve address has been postponed indefinitely, palace officials said.

King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has been hospitalised since Sept. 19, causing concern in financial markets because he is seen as the sole unifying figure in a politically polarised country.

Uncertainty about his health sparked a steep fall in stock prices and the baht currency on Oct. 14 and 15. Markets recovered after the palace said the king's health was improving.

An official from the Office of the Royal Household said the king would grant an audience to royal family members, cabinet ministers, top government officials and elected politicians at Arun Amarin Royal Throne Hall in the Grand Palace on Saturday.

"Of course his majesty will personally preside over this important annual event," said an official from the royal household who declined to be identified.

It would be the first public appearance by the king since Nov. 2, and only his third since he was admitted to hospital with fever and loss of appetite, and then treated for pneumonia.

A trooping of the colour military parade in Bangkok, due on Wednesday, to celebrate the king's birthday has also been postponed indefinitely, the office of the king's principal private secretary said in a statement.

Strict lese-majeste laws in Thailand make comment on royal matters risky. But the king's health and extended hospitalisation have raised concern in largely Buddhist Thailand where many of his subjects regard him as semi-divine.