Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej traveled to his Bangkok palace Monday, a day after the palace announced he was being treated for a blood infection and swollen lung, Reuters news agency reported.
"His Majesty will go to the Chitralada Palace for a change of atmosphere," said a palace official, who declined to be identified.
Thailand’s 88-year-old king, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, has been hospitalized since May and has received treatment for multiple illnesses.
A statement issued Sunday said the king has battled a fever for the past two weeks and was being looked after by doctors. It also said tests found “an infection in the lower part of the lungs,” and a blood infection and inflammation in his right knee joint.
Concern about his health grew when Bhumibol missed an annual audience to mark his birthday December 5. But he made a rare public appearance on December 14.
Hundreds of people lined the streets as the king left Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital Monday, Reuters reported.
The king is widely revered, with the palace issuing notices on his health and keeping tight control over news about the royal family.
Late last month, the head of the veterinary school at Kasetsart University said Bhumibol's dog, Tongdaeng, died December 26 after having several illnesses in recent years.
The dog, whom the king rescued from an alley, is at the center of insult and sedition charges against a Thai factory worker.
A Thai military court earlier this month charged Thanakorn Siripaiboon with making a “sarcastic” Internet post involving the dog. The court did not reveal what exactly the post said, and also charged Thanakorn with sedition and insulting the king.
Thailand’s strict sedition laws make it a crime to insult the monarchy.
