Thai people carry large candles and a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L) as they take part in a parade a few days ahead of a Buddhist festival, in Thailand's restive southern province of Narathiwat on July 3, 2009. Asahna Bucha Day is marked throughout Thailand on July 7 and commemorates the day on which Buddha delivered his first sermon to his first five chief disciples. Getty Images logo Getty Images 4 months ago

Thai people carry large candles and a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L) as they take part in a parade a few days ahead of a Buddhist festival, in Thailand's restive southern province of Narathiwat on July 3, 2009. Asahna Bucha Day is marked throughout Thailand on July 7 and commemorates the day on which Buddha delivered his first sermon to his first five chief disciples.

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  1. Well-wishers pray for King Bhumibol Adulyadej near Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok September 22, 2009. The health of Thailand's 81-year-old King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has improved slightly after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in four days, the Royal Household Bureau said on Monday.
  2. Well-wishers pray for King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok September 22, 2009. The health of Thailand's 81-year-old King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has improved slightly after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in four days, the Royal Household Bureau said on Monday.
  3. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej lights the candle of a krathong before floating the krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Thailand's 81-year-old king appeared briefly in public on Monday to take part in a traditional ritual in the grounds of the hospital where he has been recovering from illness since mid-September.
  4. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Thailand's 81-year-old king appeared briefly in public on Monday to take part in a traditional ritual in the grounds of the hospital where he has been recovering from illness since mid-September.
  5. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej prays during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Thailand's 81-year-old king appeared briefly in public on Monday to take part in a traditional ritual in the grounds of the hospital where he has been recovering from illness since mid-September.
  6. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej lights the candle of a krathong before floating the krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Thailand's 81-year-old king appeared briefly in public on Monday to take part in a traditional ritual in the grounds of the hospital where he has been recovering from illness since mid-September.
  7. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Thailand's 81-year-old king appeared briefly in public on Monday to take part in a traditional ritual in the grounds of the hospital where he has been recovering from illness since mid-September.
  8. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej gestures (2nd R) gestures after lighting candles on a Krathong to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj hospital in Bangkok on November 2, 2009. King Bhumibol, 81, who is revered as a demi-god by many Thais and as a stabilising force in a politically turbulent nation, has been in hospital since mid-September with a lung infection and fever.
  9. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej lights candles on a Krathong to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj hospital in Bangkok on November 2, 2009. King Bhumibol, 81, who is revered as a demi-god by many Thais and as a stabilising force in a politically turbulent nation, has been in hospital since mid-September with a lung infection and fever.
  10. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (2nd L) lights a candle to a krathong before floating the krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Believers float krathongs during the festival, which is held as a symbolic apology to the goddess of the river.
  11. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (2nd L) lights a candle to a krathong before floating the krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Believers float krathongs during the festival, which is held as a symbolic apology to the goddess of the river.
  12. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen at Siriraj Hospital during the Loy Krathong festival in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Believers float krathongs during the festival, which is held as a symbolic apology to the goddess of the river.
  13. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (2nd R) prays before floating a krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Believers float krathongs during the festival, which is held as a symbolic apology to the goddess of the river.
  14. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (2nd R) prays before floating a krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Believers float krathongs during the festival, which is held as a symbolic apology to the goddess of the river.
  15. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (2nd R) lights a candle to a krathong before floating the krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Believers float krathongs during the festival, which is held as a symbolic apology to the goddess of the river.
  16. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a wheelchair appears to the public during the traditional Loy Kratong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. The king was hospitalized on Sept. 19 with fever, fatigue and lack of appetite.

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