A SAILPAST on Phuket in honor of HM King's Birthday took place at the same time as His Majesty's appearance to make a speech in support of national unity.

His Majesty told his people, in a strong voice, to reject self-interest in favor of integrity and honesty.

Thousands who cheered HM The King as his motorcade passed in Bangkok and millions more who saw and heard his speech on television were delighted he was able to leave hospital to greet them, if only briefly.

''My happiness derives from the stability, prosperity and peace of our country,'' HM the King told members of the royal family, the prime minister and cabinet ministers, privy councilors and officials from the Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.

His brief respite from treatment in hospital was for just an hour, but one cherished by an entire nation, and many from other countries who also admire Thailand's monarch and wish him well.

On Phuket, a sailpast salute by many of the 110 yachts from the soon-to-be-completed King's Cup Regatta marked HM The King's 82nd birthday in traditional fashion. It was historic in its own right, too, with a racing fleet said to be among the strongest ever assembled in Asia.

Neil Pryde's Hi-Fi sailed with what was described as ''meticulous consistency'' to lead the racing class from start to finish.

His final record of three 1st places, three 2nd places and one 4th place finish clinched the coveted King's Cup trophy. Pryde previously had been in striking distance of the King's Cup in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Chris Dickson and a group of America's Cup sailors on Full Metal Jacket, briefly challenged Pryde's dominance mid week only to fall short, BMY Sailing and Sports News reported.