Vast crowds dressed in yellow, the royal colour, lined the roads in the seaside town of Hua Hin to catch a glimpse of the frail and ageing monarch. Many shouted "Long live the king" as his motorcade drove slowly to the palace of Klai Kangwon, which literally means "far from worries".Onlookers wept as the king began to speak, taking great effort and pausing for long stretches between words."Our country has long experienced happiness because we have been united in performing our duties and working together for the good of the whole country," the king said, dressed in a ceremonial golden robe and seated on a throne before an audience that included the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, and her cabinet ministers, as well as Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and the leaders of the armed forces."All Thais should consider this very much and focus on doing their duties … which are the security and stability of the country."Many people were hopeful the king would step in as he has done before to ease the current standoff, which results from years of enmity between supporters and opponents of former Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister and brother of Yingluck who was deposed by a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and disrespect for the king.The king has no official political role but no other figure commands t