Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-serving monarch, takes a boat trip to preside over the official opening of the royally initiated projects Bhumibol 1 and Bhumibol 2 bridges and the sluice gate on a canal in Bangkok November 24, 2010. The 82-year-old king occasionally appears in public since his hospitalisation in September 2009 for fatigue and lung inflammation. The palace said he has since recovered and is staying in the hospital for physical rehabilitation. (Reuters)

Fireworks explode during the opening of royally initiated projects, the Bhumibol 1, Bhumibol 2 bridges and the sluice gate on a canal by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Samut Prakan province on the outskirts of Bangkok November 24, 2010. (Reuters)