As the nation celebrated His Majesty the King's birthday yesterday, royal doctors said his illness has been treated but he will need one or two months to make a full recovery.
Fireworks paint the night sky with colour and light over Sanam Luang where the government held a major celebration to mark his Majesty the King's 87th birthday last night. Chanat Katanyu
The doctors made the suggestion for the abrupt cancellation of a grand audience to mark His Majesty the King's 87th birthday celebrations.
The Royal Household Bureau had earlier made an official announcement that the King was in good health. But by dawn yesterday, the bureau announced the cancellation, citing the physicians' suggestion and setting off public concern about the King's health.
Udom Kachintorn, dean of the faculty of medicine at Siriraj Hospital, said yesterday that doctors had examined the King on Thursday night to ascertain his physical readiness ahead of the scheduled public appearance at the Amarindra Vinichaya Hall in the Grand Palace.
The team of physicians agreed the King should not leave the hospital, Dr Udom said, but added that his condition is not serious.
"The King is not experiencing any severe condition, as many people might think, but his strength is not yet fully recovered.
"A few weeks ago, the King developed a fever and inflammation of the large intestine, which is already cured," he said. The medical team stopped administering medication two weeks ago, he added.
"His Majesty the King is in the recovery stage, and is expected to take one or two months to make a full recovery by eating suitable foods and taking enough rest. People should not panic," he said.
Dr Udom said the King had intended to make the appearance. It was thought that the presence of so many people at the hospital and across the country would greatly boost His Majesty's morale.
Though the royal audience was cancelled, thousands of well-wishers from cities around Thailand nonetheless converged on Siriraj Hospital to wish the King a happy birthday.
The hospital's compound was a sea of yellow, the colour representing the day he was born. Some camped out overnight on Thursday to guarantee themselves a spot to see the King and members of the royal family.
A huge crowd waved the national and royal yellow flags, shouting "Long Live the King" outside the Chalerm-Prakiat Building where His Majesty is staying.
Nattapa Kaewsrita, 58, left her home in Pathum Thani's Rangsit area on Thursday and stayed overnight on the hospital grounds. Heavy rain and the cancellation did not deter her.
"I could not sleep even an hour because of the heavy rain and strong wind all night. I now feel sleepy, but not in my heart. Looking at his room's window makes me happy enough," she said.
"If the doctor decides that the King is not physically prepared for the audience, he should not appear, for the sake of his health. I will stay here for a candle-lit ceremony to wish him happy birthday," she said, adding, "Thai people should stop their quarrels and live in peace and harmony for the King."
Mak So-ma-mee, 55, said she was concerned about the King's condition after hearing his audience was cancelled, but was relieved to know that he was in good health and just needed more time to recover.
"I do not feel bad about leaving home at 5am for the hospital and not getting to see the King. I am proud and happy to be here to show my love and gratitude to the monarch. I am luckier than other people who wanted to be here but could not," said the Samut Sakhon resident.
Saeng-jan Muang-mueang-san said she was not surprised or anxious following the cancellation of the audience because the King needs a lot of rest, given his age.
"I will stay here till evening to wish the King good health. And if the King looks down through the window, he will see our love down here," said the 56-year-old from Samut Prakan.
Bussakorn Klinnoy, 48, drove 280km from her hometown in Prachuap Kiri Khan. She left at midnight and arrived at the hospital in the morning to find that the royal audience was cancelled.
"I am not disappointed at all and I will stay here all day to send the King my best wishes and pray for his good health. This is what I can do for the King," she said.
Nokyung Phiromkaew, 75, from Bangkok, said she camped out at the hospital on Thursday and still held out hope the King would appear as thousands of people were waiting for him. "But if not, I am still proud and happy waiting here to show him my love," she said.
Kanchanaburi native Treepon Kamnuan, 25, also insisted on staying at the hospital all day to wish the King good health and longevity, and said the presence of many people would help boost the King's morale.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha meanwhile presided over a candle-lit ceremony yesterday evening at Sanam Luang to commemorate the King's birthday. The prime minister was joined by cabinet ministers, high-ranking government officials and tens of thousands of well-wishers. The ceremony took place simultaneously all over the kingdom.
Earlier in the day, Gen Prayut, cabinet ministers, members of the legislature and judiciary, civil servants, military leaders, leading politicians and foreign dignitaries signed well-wishers' books to wish the monarch a happy birthday.
Major celebrations in honour of His Majesty took place nationwide. The highlights of Bangkok activities were exhibitions on royal projects at Sanam Luang and the Mahajanaka the Phenomenon Live Show in Benjakitti Park.