The Thai Royal Court has announced that the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has been treated for hydrocephalus, a condition caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid that results in the enlargement of the brain cavities.
The Thai monarch has been in ill health for some time, having spent the past few years in hospital.
A statement released by the Royal Court said: “It was detected that his facial muscles had irregular movements and the doctor conducted a computer x-ray and found there was an irregular surplus of fluid in the backbone and brain.
“The team of royal physicians corrected this by adjusting the tube in his abdomen between 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm and the result was satisfactory.”
His Majesty was treated for the same condition just under a year ago.
The condition has now been treated with an adjustment of a tube placed in the 88-year-old monarch’s abdomen.
The world’s longest-reigning monarch has been treated for various conditions during his hospitalisation. He hasn’t been seen in public since January, when he visited his Bangkok palace. An official photograph was released last December, the most recent image what has been made public.
The people pf Thailand are extremely concerned about what happens when the King passes away. His Majesty first ascended the throne 70 years ago, of which he has spent most of the past six years in hospital.
Who will succeed him to the crown has been the subject of major controversy in the country, after the military took over in a coup two years ago.
The King’s only son and heir apparent, Maha Vajiralongkorn, doesn’t enjoy much popularity among the public.
Very little information is made public about the Thailand royals and any news is tightly controlled. It is a crime to defame, insult or threaten the royals.
Last Saturday the palace said King Bhumibol had been treated with antibiotics for a lung infection and swollen knees.
