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.

The king has rarely left a Bangkok hospital that has become his residence since he was admitted in 2009.

His general absence from public affairs has spurred concern about the eventual royal succession.

A statement said the king had been given medicines to dissolve mucus in his chest, which was now being treated with physical therapy.

The king was admitted to hospital in 2009 with what was said to be a lung inflammation. Last October, he had his gallbladder removed.

Most Thais hold great affection for Bhumibol, who was crowned on May 5, 1950, following the death of his elder brother.