Fears for health of Thai king, 87

Thailand’s royal palace has announced that 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej is recovering from several ailments, including excess fluid in the brain and difficult breathing due to congested lungs.

The Thai Royal Household said a scan earlier this year found an increased level of fluid in the king’s brain, but others in July and this month showed the level had started to decrease.

It said the latest check-up and X-ray showed that an inflammation found earlier in the king’s chest had disappeared, his heartbeat was back to normal, and his breathing was close to normal.