King Bhumibol Adulyadej addressed thousands of Thais in a rare appearance on Monday. The monarch who turns 84, has been ill and living in hospital.

Thousands of the country's convicts will be released as part of the annual royal pardon to mark the royal's birthday but the fugitive ex-premier, Thaksin Shinawatra will not be on that list.

Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay reports from the capital Bangkok.