Thai king's illness sparks anxiety amid crisis

Thailand's ailing king, a pillar of stability during his six decades on the throne, failed to attend celebrations marking his 81st birthday on Friday as many Thais feared his fading from the scene could deepen the turmoil that has plagued the country for three years.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej was scheduled to take part in a birthday ceremony at the Grand Palace's throne hall but it was canceled due to an illness that also prevented him from delivering his annual birthday speech Thursday, local media said.

Many Thais had been eagerly awaiting his address in hopes it might point a way out of political turbulence that in the past two weeks has included a seven-day seizure of Bangkok's two airports by anti-government protesters and the ouster of the government, backed by the rural poor. The capital's Suvarnabhumi International Airport officially reopened Friday, but was operating at only about 50 percent capacity.