Large crowds at Siriraj praying for HM
Large crowds flock to Siriraj hospital, wearing yellow and pink, to pray for His Majesty the King’s speedy recovery.
HUNDREDS of well-wishers wore yellow and pink shirts as they flocked to Siriraj Hospital yesterday to pray and express their hopes for His Majesty the King’s speedy recovery.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88, has been receiving treatment at the hospital for several years. Sitting on the throne since 1946 and the world’s longest reigning monarch, the King commands enormous love and respect from the people.
Members of the Royal family including HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn were at the hospital yesterday.
Many people also paid respects at a monument of the King’s father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, at the hospital compound and recited a Buddhist prayer for the King’s good health.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha cancelled his scheduled trip to Chon Buri and returned to Bangkok, with reports initially indicating that he would make a public statement.
However, Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd denied the premier would make an urgent statement later yesterday as was widely speculated on social media.
Sansern said Prayut abruptly ended his mission in Chon Buri to return to Bangkok to prepare a report for the Crown Prince.
Prayut would have to report the current situation to the Crown Prince if he were granted an audience, he added.
“The prime minister will make no special statement today. The people should not be panic or believe rumours on social media,” Sansern said.
On Sunday, the Royal Household Bureau released a statement on the King that said his condition was not stable, spurring a huge number of Thai people concerned about his well-being to begin praying for His Majesty’s improved health.
Since then, many people have posted messages on social media platforms wishing him a quick recovery and donned pink to show their love for the monarch.
People also took to social media with the hashtag #longlivetheking both in Thai and in English flooding the Internet, with people wearing pink T-shirts seen throughout the kingdom to show solidarity and support.
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