Thai King recovering after surgery to remove gall bladder
Thailand’s revered 86-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej has had his gall bladder removed, the palace said Monday (Oct 6).
The surgery comes two days after he was rushed to hospital sparking fears for his health.
The world's longest-serving monarch was driven from his coastal palace to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital with a fever on Friday (Oct 3) evening.
Tests over the weekend found he had a swollen gall bladder, prompting the operation to remove it late on Sunday (Oct 5), the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement.
People hold pictures of the king as they gather at the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. PHOTO: Reuters
Doctors were "satisfied" with the outcome of the surgery and the king's condition was "improving", the statement added.
"His majesty's heartbeat has slowed down... his blood pressure is in the normal range and his temperature is lower," it said.
King Bhumibol, who has suffered from numerous ailments in recent years, is treated as a near-deity in Thailand and his health is a subject of great public concern.
A woman prays for the health of the king at the Siriraj hospital in Bangkok. PHOTO: Reuters
Surgery to remove the gall bladder is common and patients tend to recover quickly from the operation.
King Bhumibol left the hospital last month after a stay of almost six weeks for a check-up.
He lived in the same hospital for nearly four years after being admitted with respiratory problems in 2009.
Source: AFP
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now