Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Thai King's Health Unstable

by VOA News

   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.