Thai king leaves hospital after seven months

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej sits in a vehicle as he leaves Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, May 10, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, left hospital on 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.

Bhumibol is revered by many as the arbiter of Thailand's decades-long, sometimes violent, political divisions.

Most Thais have only known King Bhumibol on the throne, and many are nervous about what a royal succession might bring.

His son and presumed heir, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, has yet to command his father's level of popular support.

Bhumibol, 87, was admitted to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital in October where he underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder.