Ailing Thai King cancels birthday speech

The exodus of stranded tourists leaving Bangkok’s main international airport is accelerating, but authorities do not expect normal service to be fully restored until tomorrow. The airport was closed last week by protestors trying to oust what they claim is a corrupt government. The blockade has now ended but security concerns are hampering efforts to get the airport fully operational. Some 40 flights are expected to take off today, compared to the daily average of 700.

Demonstrators called off their protest after the country’s constitutional court banned the ruling political party on Tuesday. However, analysts do not believe the ruling will end Thailand’s political upheaval. Allies of the government are expected to approve a similar leadership in a parliamentary vote on Monday.

Many Thais had been looking to their revered King Bhumibol to issue a call for unity. But the monarch, who turns 81 tomorrow, was forced to cancel his traditional birthday eve address after suffering a throat infection. It is the first time in his 62-year reign that the King, to whom Thais turn in times of trouble, has failed to deliver his birthday speech.

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