Thai King to Leave Hospital

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s much revered king was cleared for release from the hospital Wednesday after more than three weeks of treatment for weakness and a colon infection, the palace said.

“The king has now recovered, his blood pressure in normal, his colon has recovered and there is no longer a shortage of blood flow to the brain,” a statement from the Royal Household Bureau said.

The 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej was admitted on Oct. 13 to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok after feeling weakness on the right side of his body. Large crowds have gathered regularly at the hospital since he was admitted to express their concern.

Doctors advised the king to continue physical exercise to regain muscle strength after he is released from the hospital later Wednesday, the palace said.

Radio and television stations reported that several thousands of people in yellow shirts, the royal color, rushed to Siriraj to prepare a send-off for the king. A major celebration is planned for his 80th birthday on Dec. 5.

Bhumibol, the world’s longest-serving living monarch, is a unifying figure in Thailand, which usually turns to him in times of crisis, even though his powers are limited as a constitutional monarch.

Bhumibol has suffered from several ailments including heart problems in recent years.

Still remaining at the same hospital is Princess Galyani Vadhana, an 84-year-old sister of the king who was hospitalized on June 15 after doctors found abdominal cancer.