Thai royal palace says 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej still suffering lung infection

BANGKOK – Thailand’s 87-year-old king continues to suffer from a lung infection that doctors believe was caused by foreign particles such as food, saliva or nasal secretions entering his lungs, the royal palace said Sunday.

The statement on King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s health was the second issued by the palace in a week, suggesting concern about his condition, which as of Saturday included a fever, decreased oxygen in the blood and a higher than normal pulse.

The previous statement had said the king was responding to treatment, with most vital signs improving, and the latest statement said his blood pressure was normal.

Sunday night’s statement said the king was taking antibiotics and nourishment intravenously, as well as being given oxygen and physical therapy to clear saliva from his lungs.

It said a saliva test found bacteria in his lungs, with the diagnosis that inflammation of both lungs was caused by aspiration pneumonitis. It indicated that a new infection was found since the last statement on Sept. 7.

Bhumibol was originally admitted to Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital in 2009 with what was said to be a lung inflammation, but has had other health issues as well, including having his gallbladder removed last year. In 2007, the king was hospitalized for three weeks with symptoms of a minor stroke.

Last month, the palace said he was recovering from several ailments, including excess fluid in the brain and difficulty breathing due to congested lungs.

The world’s longest-reigning monarch last appeared in public on Sept. 1, during a short tour by wheelchair of the Bangkok hospital that has been his home for most of the past six years.

Most Thais hold great affection for Bhumibol, who was crowned on May 5, 1950, after coming to the throne in 1946 following the death of his elder brother. But his general absence from public affairs in recent years has spurred concern about the eventual royal succession.

While he is a constitutional monarch with no formal political role, Bhumibol has generally been regarded as the country’s unifying figure. The heir apparent, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, does not yet command the same respect and affection as the king.