King leaves hospital, vendors expecting a run on blue shirts

Bangkok Post

Saturday November 17, 2007

His Majesty the King waved as he left Siriraj hospital yesterday after visiting his ailing elder sister being treated there, much to the delight of a large crowd of well-wishers.

Hundreds of people who gathered at the hospital to get a glimpse of the revered monarch promptly shouted ”Long Live the King” on seeing him in good health.

The King, who appeared in a blue jacket and black trousers, used a walking stick. He waved and smiled to the crowd. Some wore yellow shirts, others were in pink.

The King, who was recently discharged from the hospital after being treated for an insufficient blood supply to part of his brain, stayed over at the hospital as he visited HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. The Princess was in stable condition.

Before leaving the hospital, the King paid homage to the statues of his parents. The colour of the King’s apparel was still the order of the day.

Many speculated about the colour of the King’s jacket when he left the hospital. Some said yellow, others said pink, only a few thought of blue, the colour associated with Friday in Thai tradition.

Champee Komolsane, 60, said she would definitely buy a blue shirt after seeing the colour of the King’s jacket.

The sale of pink shirts was still brisk at a market near Siriraj hospital yesterday.Pink shirts were the most sought-after items because, when the King left the hospital on Nov 7, he was wearing a pink jacket. However, some vendors had already stocked blue shirts in response to their customer’s demands.

”I already stocked over 200 blue shirts because I thought the King might pick the colour in accordance with the day. Today I sold more than 20 blue shirts after the King left the hospital. But I think it’s pink shirts that are in high demand,” said vendor Somsri Puengchinda.

Meanwhile Justin Matheson, an Australian who accompanied his wife to Siriraj Hospital, said he appreciated the chance to see the King. He said he had studied the King’s life and his contribution to his people.

”I feel very excited and am touched the way Thai people love the King. It was great to share the happy moment with Thais when they saw the King wave his hand. I can see that Thai people are very close to their King,” he said.

Supol Chawkaew, a 34-year-old disabled man from Ayutthaya, said he left the province by himself on Thursday evening and hoped to get a glimpse of the King.

”I am so happy to see him. He looks very healthy,” he said.

Princess Galyani Vadhana’s overall condition was stable yesterday, the Royal Household Bureau announced.

According to the bureau, the Committee of Royal Physicians reported that the Princess can sit upright on her bed for longer periods. She is able to go outside her room by wheelchair.