Thai King's Health Unstable
By VOA News October 12, 2016
Thailand's royal palace says 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej remains in unstable health condition.
The palace said new blood tests from Tuesday showed the king's liver was working irregularly, there were heightened levels of uric acid in his blood, his blood pressure dropped and he remained on a ventilator.
Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has not been seen by the public for nearly a year as he battles a series of illnesses in a Bangkok hospital.
Bhumibol, a constitutional monarch with no formal political role, is widely regarded as Thailand's unifying figure.
In Washington, Daniel Russel, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, described U.S. born Bhumibol as "a true friend of the United States.''
Late Wednesday about 300 well-wishers gathered outside Siriraj Hospital where the king has spent much of the past two years. Dozens of them holding incense sticks and images of the king chanted prayers for his recovery.
His son, the crown prince, Vajiralongkorn, 64, who lives mostly in Germany, has yet to attain his father's widespread popularity.
Privately many business leaders, both domestic and foreign, have expressed fear the king's demise could lead to economic instability, especially as there is no official discussion on how the country will handle his passing.
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