Thailand’s ailing king seen in rare TV appearance

In this Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, file photo, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, center, is surrounded by his family members, from left, Princess Somsavali, his daughter Princess Ubolratana, his daughter Princess Chulabhorn, Princess Siribhachudabhorn, Royal Consort Princess Srirasm, his grandson Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, his son Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and his daughter Princess Sirindhorn after addressing the crowd from a balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall on his 85th birthday in Bangkok, Thailand. The people of Thailand on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, marked the 88th birthday of their king. AP FILE PHOTO

BANGKOK— Thailand’s king has made a rare, brief appearance on television amid concerns about his ailing health.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who turned 88 earlier this month, was shown seated in a chair Monday presiding over the swearing in of a group of judges at a Bangkok hospital where he has spent most of the last six years.

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His last appearance before the general public was on Sept. 1.

The deeply revered king is a constitutional monarch with no formal political role but has been regarded as a stabilizing figure for Thailand, which has experienced political turmoil in recent years.

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His most recent ailment was a lung infection that required him to be fed intravenously and use a machine to aid his breathing.