Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, left a hospital Sunday after seven months spent convalescing following surgery last year, to the joy of many in Thailand, where Bhumibol is widely revered.
Tearful crowds shouted "Long live the king!" as King Bhumibol, wearing a red shirt, and Queen Sirikit passed by in a convoy en route to their Klai Kangwon palace in the seaside town of Hua Hin, televised coverage of the departure showed.
The monarch made a rare public appearance last week when he attended a ceremony marking his official coronation in 1950 at the glittering Grand Palace in the heart of Bangkok's historic quarter.