Admirers of Petchara Chaowarat have showered the former film star with praise following her first public appearance in three decades.
"Seeing Petchara again reminded me of the old days when I was a kid. My mum and I followed all her movies," said one commentator on her Facebook page.
"Your're still my all-time favourite actress. And you're still beautiful. Wish you a healthy life," another one wrote.
One of the most popular movie stars in Thailand, Petchara has led a private life at home since she began experiencing problems with her eyesight in the 1970s. Her last appearance was 30 years ago and the latest one on Tuesday stirred excitement among her avid fans and others who have followed her life and career.
The 73-year-old former superstar showed up at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on that day to accept a role as an ambassador for the Centre of Excellence in Liver Diseases.
She said she intended to help the centre carry out campaigns to raise awareness as many Thais die of liver ailments every year. She said she did not see her blindness as an impediment to the endeavour.
The liver disease death ratio in 2010 was 13.8 per 100,000 population, which was almost unchanged from 2003, according to the most recent figures available from the National Statistics Office.
Petchara said she was encouraged by her husband, Charin Nanthanakorn, when she turned to him for advice as she struggled to make up her mind about making a public appearance.
"If you decide to go out in public, you have to go with confidence. You have to stay strong," she recalled her husband telling her. "If you go with weakness, you'd better not do it."
Petchara recalls her husband's advice: "If you decide to go out in public, you have to go with confidence."
Petchara starred in more than 300 movies. Her appearances with Mitr Chaibancha were probably the most famous in Thai film history. She made her film debut with him in 1962.
Long hours of standing in the glare of bright studio lights and scripts that called for a lot of crying took a toll on her eyes. The actress started to notice problems in 1972 and six years later she turned blind after several treatments.
But Charin, a famous singer, has been at her side all this time and also sings for her birthday on Jan 19 every year.
Petchara used her personal experience to remind her fans and the public at a media conference on Tuesday that everyone needs to strike a balance between work and health.
She ended the session and returned carrying a bouquet of flowers, smiling while tears trickled down her face. Many used the rare opportunity to take pictures for their own memories.
"Thank you for appearing in public again," a fan said in a message left on Petchara's Facebook page.
"Come out more often, please. We all miss you," another wrote.
Petchara is unable to hold back the tears after meeting the media.