Sunday, the official statement (at least “treated” by Nation, and we all know that Nation can be totally unreliable sometimes) was :
His Majesty the King’s general condition is good and his appetite has improved, according to the latest report from the Royal Household Bureau yesterday.
In its 14th statement on the King’s health, the bureau said the Siriraj Hospital medical team had stopped giving intravenous fluid to the 81-year-old monarch.(Nation)
And today, another statement with the same keywords (sleep, eat, improving)… but other details :
His Majesty the King’s general condition is improving and he can eat and sleep, the Royal Household Bureau’s statement said yesterday.
Doctors performed an Xray on HM the King’s chest and found the lung infection to be improving. (Nation)
Another X-ray, and the word “improving”. So it means that the lung infection is still there ? We start to understand the expression : they “stopped one antibiotics” (read here, the previous statement). It means the King is still being treated with antibiotics.
The King was hospitalized 2 weeks ago.
UPDATE MONDAY
His Majesty the King’s condition was stable yesterday and his doctors have stopped administering any more antibiotics, the Royal Household Bureau said.
However, His Majesty was still undergoing physical therapy, the Palace said in its 16th statement. (Nation)
Stable. But what is “physical therapy” ?
Yes, the Thai Circus must go on!
It´s been obvious for some time, 2-3 years, that the King is not healthy at all and there is nothing wrong with that.
That means the Control is elsewhere, with the Elite, that is trying to figure out how to keep control of the people after the King is officially dead.
People are worried, both Thai and foreigners (but for different reasons), and that fear is justified. The Thai´s think they are losing a friend/father/god who has been protecting from all evil (ignorance) but foreign investor´s of losing their investment that already is in very bad shape because of the economic depression.
We are going to see huge changes in the near future and I agree with some here who say and believe that Thaskin will be back with full force to lead the country.
That would be a good thing for investors as well as the majority of Thai´s poor and ignorant. The only ones´s worried about this happening are the Thai/Chinese elite. And they know that they can not let that happen so things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.
NB: The Elite will lose their hold on people when the King is dead no matter who they try to put out as his replacement. The situation is so bad that control will fail and the people will rise to the occasion and demand what should be their´s.
Good for them
All i can think of is that Eurythmic’s song from the 80′s:
“Lies, Lies, Lies yeah, they’re going to get you”
What I don’t understand is this, why is there not at least a few, just a few, Thais demanding some truthful answers. No one, and I mean not a single Thai is questioning anything? WTF?
in phuket
its because of lese majesty laws. elementry dear watson. but believe me when i tell u that nearly in all business circles this is indeed being discussed and exit strategies are being discussed.
more or less it is like in usa when bush was in charge, if u criticise the war u are unpatriotic. along those lines in thailand.
if u look at the political situation there is clearly a vacuum of power. if the unthinkable happens with vacuum of power, bad economy will get worse, also there are many factions in the military who will fight for control.
also do u remember what happened during songkran? it could happen again albiet on a larger scale.
@ In Phuket
Thai’s don’t ask questions.
Asking ‘what’s your name?’ or ‘how do you do?’ is one thing. But when Thai’s question information, tradition, opinion and belief, it is a form of confrontation. In Thai culture, people don’t ask, don’t question and don’t confront. To do so would be considered rude, aggressive and inappropriate.
Might also find yourself in jail – or worse!
.
In Phuket – We can’t because there is this thing call lese marjeste law. If someone risk questioning the supreme authority of the palace will be put under serious scrutiny. If the palace doesnt want anyone to know about the king true health then let it be.
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/
@TC for your consideration to publish
The Independent on Thailand’s taboo
October 5th, 2009 by Nicholas Farrelly
From where I sit, I sense an increasing willingness on the part of many journalists to report potentially risky stories about Thailand’s future. The Independent has joined the chorus with today’s “Thai taboo: what happens when the king has gone?“
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/thai-taboo-what-happens-when-the-king-has-gone-1797769.html
Little in this particular story will be news to regular New Mandala readers, but it is notable for its length and its tone. And while it won’t be making an appearance in any Thai newspaper there is a chance that it will be translated and end up here.
As I have said in the past the Great Firewall of Chitralada can only be built so high….
October 6th, The Nation:
“His Majesty the King’s condition was stable yesterday and his doctors have stopped administering any more |antibiotics, the Royal Household Bureau said.”
Now I really need a translation, “Stable?” WTF. If this is the most positive thing that can be said, this is not good at all. TC, what do you think?
Just for the sake of.. well i am not sure why, but here are the headlines regarding the big man’s health starting form Sept. 22nd from the BP
-Thai king’s fever eases, still in hospital
-King’s fever easing, doctors say
-His Majesty has a return of appetite
-His Majesty showing no signs of any fever
-King’s fever abated
-His Majesty free of fever, sleeping well
-Fever hinders King’s recovery
-King’s fever eases, general health improves
-HM Off Intravenous Drip
All Thais should be personally insulted!
@ Palm Palmason
You may be right. The Mayoral election in Chiang Mai city ended Oct 3rd. The winner, a young man in his 30′s, unabashedly Red Shirt won by a landslide 24k votes. The runner up got 14k votes and the second runner up got a mere 6k votes. Takshin sent a message supporting the Red shirt candidate during the election.
yes, there may have been some vote-buying, but the win was decisive enough to show that Takshin still enjoys enormous popularity. Despite three years of government propaganda against him, Takshin is not going away and his supporters aren’t changing their minds. I suspect there are many Takshin supporters who are aware of and abhor his corruption but they support him anyway—as a figurehead against the ruling elite and the old system that is no less corrupt.
“All Thais should be personally insulted!”. Indeed.
And even foreigners. I mean : everybody with some common sense and love for Thailand.
This circus is an insult. The word is appropriate.
The Nation, 6 Oct: “His Majesty the King’s condition was stable yesterday and his doctors have stopped administering any more antibiotics, the Royal Household Bureau said.”
Reading that, you could conclude he’s …
Physiotherapy after extended period in bed is common for people of age. It will help His Majesty to recoup his strength.
Let me kindly propose a new measure for the health status of the king: The aggressiveness of Thaksin’s speeches especially using words like “return”, “prime minister again” … I am sure he knows better than us how well the king is in reality.
The big showdown might come faster than thought.
Best
Hans
Effervescent – come one you cant be real with this, he was on physiotherapy since his 3rd day in hospital!
I doubt the physio has much to do with stimulating blood circulation because of bed confinement. I strongly suspect it is to try and mitigate the effects of another stroke.
Still, fever gone, antiobitics withdrawn… we ought to see HMK out of hospital before the weekend. if we don’t there will be rather a lot of concern.
Hmmm
Just realised I haven’t seen TV coverage of any of the Royals flocking to see HMK in hospital – normally a really good photo-op to wave the flag, also to see all the sea of people waving flags and holding up photos such outside of the hospital – all in the hope that they will be seen and noticed.
Haven’t seen any of that this time, though it may be on Thai TV of course – Bedwyr never watches Thai TV lest he should inadvertently stumble across a Thai soap and be turned to stone with the horror of it all.
Anyone see HMQ visiting? CP? Minor Royals carrying bairns and waving to all and sundry?
Indeed bedwyr. No official statement since 2 days. What’s going on ?
They have really no idea how to handle communication. It’s a shame.
First they serve us bullshit, empty statements. Doing this, they stupidly expose their own lies.
And then… they suddendly stop talking !
It’s disturbing. It’s confusing.
I think they are running out of idea.
HM the King’s general condition improves
BANGKOK, 8 October 2009 (NNT) – The Bureau of the Royal Household released the 19th statement on 8 October 2009 on the recovery of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej after he was admitted into Siriraj Hospital on 19 September.
The Committee of Royal Physicians reported that His Majesty the King ‘s general condition is good. Physical therapy for rehabilitation of his lungs and muscle strength is still being given
Source:
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255210080063
One wonders why it is not being carried by the English-language newspapers, it seems very strange and not at all according to the usual sycophantic custom. Can’t find any releases on-line…
HM the King’s overall condition improves
BANGKOK, 10 October 2009 (NNT) – The Bureau of the Royal Household has issued the 21th statement on 10 October 2009 on the improvement of His Majesty King’s general condition.
The Bureau of the Royal Household released the 21th statement on 10 October on the recovery of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej after he was admitted into Siriraj Hospital on 19 September.
The Committee of Royal Physicians reported that His Majesty the King ‘s overall condition is stable. He has a good appetite and sleep well.
Source:
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255210100057
HM the King’s condition improves (23rd Statement)
BANGKOK, 12 October 2009 (NNT) – The Bureau of the Royal Household has issued the 23rd statement on 12 October 2009 on the improvement of His Majesty King’s general condition.
The Bureau of the Royal Household released the 23rd statement on 12 October on the recovery of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej after he was admitted into Siriraj Hospital on 19 September.
The Committee of Royal Physicians reported that His Majesty the King’s overall condition steadily improves. Physical examination and x-rays of the chest revealed further decreased inflammation of the lungs , almost back to normal. The Committee thus stopped physical therapy for rehabilitation of his lungs, but general physical therapy is still given to improve His muscle strength.
Source:
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255210120054
THAI MARKETS FALL ON CONCERNS OVER KING’s HEALTH
Thailand’s financial markets tumbled on Wednesday to a two-week low on concerns over the King’s health.
Source:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKBKK10597420091014?rpc=401
Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) — Thailand’s benchmark stock index fell the most in two months and the baht had its biggest drop since June on speculation the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 81, is deteriorating.
Let’s not forget that the exchange rate USD-THB (read my previous articles) is a concern right now. For many thais. Tell me I’m cynical… but they could spread the rumor in order to depress the THB…
I mean… real concerns about the King’s health are not new… Almost 1 month in hospital ! So why the so called “rumor” is spreading now ?
Thailand has proved not to be a democratic Country at all and this has nothing to do with taksin.
Teachers teach without having themselves a peroper education. No teacher in Thailand know where Brazil or Argentina or finland are located, just to make one of many example. They mostly care for salary, car, house and confortable life.. Childreen larn almost nothing and the fact that teacher don’t knwo anything about the world, they think that thai culture is the only one and the rest of the world is nothing, o they justify thair ignorance about the world and about their education.
Childreen usually are very loud and not much respect other aroound, not even older people and often childreen at age of about 10 (or less) drive motor byke, cars and sometime are also 5 or more on a motor byke and without helmet and nobody tell them anything.
Yes is the Countr y of smile, but only poor people smile….rich people don’t smile on poor at all, because they cannot get anything from the poor, therefore no smile for poor people.
Police is highly corrupted an no matter if a foreigner is right in a car accident or in any conflict with thai people, foreigner is always wrong.
Government employee includin teachers and other, have good salary and very strong previleges especially medical care and hospital accomodation and when they retire, they have high pension may be about 35,000 bath (600 euro for simple government employee) but poor worker, also after 40 years of regular work, have a pension of 500 bath a month ( about 12 euro).
In Thailand if someone say a bad word about the king can be convcted also many years,here in west, this would be only in a science finction film…
Thailand is the Country of smile? but what is behind it?
antonio
Parts of what you’re writing are true…. But you can not say : “have high pension may be about 35,000 bath (600 euro for simple government employee)”
This is simply untrue.
Salaries are very low for most of government employees. And this is precisely why, their bosses have to rely on… “on the side income” (corruption) in order to afford house and cars.
I have to delete a large number of incendiary, offensive comments etc.
Please, mind your language and… your ideas.
There is enough violence “outside”.
Thanks you.