HM slightly ill, cancels speech

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represent His Majesty the King in receiving people who gathered yesterday to wish him well on the eve of his 81st birthday at the Dusitdalai Pavilion. The picture was taken from the television broadcast.



Crown Prince, Princess receive well-wishers
His Majesty the King was unable to give his much-awaited traditional annual birthday address to
the public yesterday because of minor ailments.

It was the first time the King has missed his traditional public address on the eve of his birthday.

The King assigned His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to represent him in receiving a gathering of cabinet ministers, dignitaries, high-ranking government officials and members of the public, who went to the Dusitdalai Pavilion inside the Chitralada Palace to wish the King well on the eve of his 81st birthday today.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and members of the royal family.

Acting Prime Minister Chaovarat Charnveerakul conveyed to His Majesty the best wishes of those attending the ceremony.

The Crown Prince said His Majesty the King was not present because he was a little unwell and assigned the Princess to explain his condition.

The Crown Prince said the King expressed his appreciation and thanks for the best wishes and loyalty shown by his subjects.

In return, the King expressed his best wishes to the people, the Crown Prince said.

"His Majesty wishes everyone happiness, prosperity, physical and inner strength and wisdom so they can perform their duty to the best of their ability for the good of the country and the people," said the Crown Prince.

The Princess then explained the King's condition.

She said when she visited the King on Wednesday at the Chitralada Palace, the King was well and could eat properly.

But yesterday, the King suffered an inflamed throat with a lot of phlegm and had difficulty eating, the Princess said.

The King was given a saline solution and medication.

His Majesty felt uncomfortable and exhausted, but did not have a fever and wanted to rest, the Princess said. The condition was not serious, but the King was too tired to get up.

Doctors will later issue a detailed explanation of the King's illness, the Princess said.

On Oct 13 last year, the King was admitted to Siriraj hospital after experiencing weakness on the right side of his body due to insufficient blood flow to the left cerebral cortex of the brain.

He was discharged from the hospital on Nov 7 last year after spending 25 days recuperating.

People who waited to see the King at the palace yesterday expressed concern for his health after learning that he was not well.

They wished the King a speedy recovery from the illness.

Many regretted missing the opportunity to hear the monarch's long-awaited birthday address.

Duangporn Jindakham, 40, came from Narathiwat province on Tuesday to join the King's birthday celebrations in Bangkok.

She came to the Chitralada Palace at noon to see the King but later learned he had not arrived. Other well-wishers waiting in the compound of the palace did not shout "Long Live the King" when the royal motorcade passed by, as they usually do.

Ms Duangporn said she was concerned to learn about the King's ill health and wished him a speedy recovery from his ailment.

"I saw His Majesty looking exhausted during the royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.

"So I wanted to come here to wish him well," she said.

Rujana Kaenthirat, a well-wisher from Sakon Nakhon province, said when the royal motorcade passed by, he did not see Their Majesties the King and the Queen in the car.

He said: "I wish His Majesty a quick recovery.

"I learned that the King is very tired physically and mentally because there are a lot of problems [facing the country]."

Namkhang sae Bae, 55, from Phutthamonthon Sai 4 road in Thon Buri, said she came to the palace on the eve of the King's birthday every year and it was unfortunate the King was not present this year because of ill health.

According to the Royal Household Bureau, people can sign messages to wish the King well on his birthday today at the Sala Saha Thai Samakhom pavilion inside the Grand Palace.