King 'not stabilised' as Royal Family gathers at Siriraj

Well-wishers chant prayers for the good health of His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok on Wednesday evening. (Photo by Weerawong Wongpreedee)

The general condition of His Majesty the King has not been stablised and royal doctors are prescribing medication to treat his symptoms, the Royal Household Bureau said on Wednesday night, as members of the Royal Family and well-wishers gathered at Siriraj Hospital.

In the 38th statement, the bureau said that on Tuesday, His Majesty's blood pressure dropped while his pulse and the levels of acid in the blood increased.

The results of a blood test showed inflammation and abnormal functioning of the liver, so royal doctors prescribed antibiotics to treat the inflammation and took steps to reduce acidity in the blood.

The royal doctors also used drugs to control his blood pressure, employed a ventilator and performed continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

According to the statement, His Majesty's general condition is not stable and royal doctors continue to closely monitor his condition.

Present at the hospital in Bangkok from Wednesday afternoon were HRH Princess Chulabhorn and her daughters HRH Princess Siribha Chudhabhorn and HRH Princess Adityadornkitikhun.

Later Princess Ubolratana arrived at the hospital, followed by HRH the Crown Prince who had just returned from abroad, and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The compound of the nation's first hospital was full with well-wishers who were praying for the good health of His Majesty the King who will turn 89 this December.

"His Majesty the King is the heart of Thailand," said 42-year-old teacher Donnapha Kladbupha. "I know everyone will wish him a speedy recovery, but I want to see his smile after his recovery too."

Suwanna Kenamthiangwan, 62, was trying to get as close as possible to His Majesty the King's building together with some 20 friends. All wore pink, the colour believed to help promote His Majesty's health.

"I will stop praying for him only when he gets better," she said, holding His Majesty the King's portrait to her chest.

The Royal Household Bureau announced on Sunday that royal doctors performed haemodialysis on His Majesty, used drugs to control his blood pressure and put His Majesty on a medical ventilator to bring his blood pressure back to normal levels.

Well-wishers at Siriraj Hospital. (Video by Jiraporn Kuhakan)