King of Thailand hospitalised

[Snowden]

King of Thailand hospitalised
October 14, 2007 - 1:35PM

Thailand's beloved and influential 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej was hospitalised after feeling weak on the right side of his body, the royal palace said.

The king was admitted to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital yesterday, where tests found "a slightly inadequate blood flow to the brain", a palace statement said.

His condition improved after about eight hours of treatment, the statement said.

Bhumibol, the world's longest-serving living monarch, is a unifying figure for his country, which usually turns to him in times of crisis even though - strictly speaking - his powers are limited as a constitutional monarch.

Because of the almost universal respect he commands, politicians and civil servants usually follow carefully any hints of the palace's desires.

But former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in an army-led coup last year, was widely believed to be at odds with him, and it is generally thought that the king's inner circle provided encouragement to those who deposed the elected leader.

Concern over Bhumibol's health and a potential successor has intensified in recent years as the king has suffered many medical ailments, including heart problems.

He underwent spinal surgery in July after years of back pain from lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can result from aging.

Bhumibol suffered injuries including a fractured rib in June, when he fell during a walk outside the palace.

The monarch had a hernia operation in 2003 and a heart operation in 1995 to open up constricted arteries. He was treated in 1997 for an irregular heartbeat.

Bhumibol celebrated his 60th year on the throne with lavish festivities last year. More celebrations are planned for this December, when the monarch turns 80.

In recent years, the king has reduced the number of his public appearances and travelled very little.

There is great concern over the issue of his successor, as some believe that his son and heir apparent, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, does not command the same measure of respect among the public or the country's elite.

AP

King of Thailand hospitalised - World - smh.com.au