Wishing His Majesty well
October 15, 2006
Photo: Her Majesty the Queen arrives at Siriraj Hospital to visit His Majesty the King yesterday. She was greeted by a crowd of well-wishers outside the Chalermprakiet Building.PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN
Everyone here in Thailand has been hoping that His Majesty the King will have a healthy happy 2007, the 80th anniversary of his birth. Actually, it has been rather difficult for him. He had successful back surgery earlier in the year, but now he is back in the hospital for a different problem. Fortunately it doesn't seem to be too serious this time. The story will give you the details.
Whenever the King goes to the hospital people, flock there to await news of his condition. The story describes the scene at Sirirat Hospital yesterday.
well-wishers – people who want to show that they support someone and want them to be happy, successful, etc. ผู้ที่มาเข้าเฝ้าเพื่อถวายพระพร
anniversary – a date that is an exact number of years after the date of an important or special event ครบรอบปี
surgery – a medical treatment of injuries or diseases that involves cutting open a person’s body การผ่าตัด
flock – to go in large numbers ไปกันกลุ่มใหญ่ออกันไป แห่กันไป
King regaining his strength
Blood pressure and respiration ‘normal’SURASAK GLAHAN and THAI NEWS AGENCY
Photo:
Well-wishers crowded Chalermprakiet Building at the hospital yesterday
as they waited to hear news of His Majesty’s recovery and
welcome
royal family members who visited the King.PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN
His Majesty the King has regained strength in his upper right arm and right leg, and Siriraj Hospital physicians are ready to begin rehabilitation therapy, the Royal Household Bureau said.
The King was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after he experienced weakness on the right side of his body.
MRI and CT scans showed there was a slightly inadequate blood flow to the left cerebral cortex, or outer layer, of the brain.
He has regained strength on the right side of his body after treatment and was recovering yesterday.
His blood pressure and respiratory system were normal, the bureau said in a statement yesterday.
The King will be further treated by physiotherapists who were preparing a rehabilitation programme for him, the statement added.
The King yesterday told hospital staff to distribute all floral bouquets sent to him to other patients in the hospital, to boost their morale.
Yupa Wanyam, 37, who is being treated for a brain tumour, represented a group of patients who received the King’s bouquets.
‘‘These flowers are like a blessing for all of us,’’ she said in tears.
Her Majesty the Queen, Princess Ubolratana and Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali visited the King yesterday.
The Queen gave thanks to the hundreds of people waiting anxiously in the hospital grounds and spoke briefly with some of them.
Wipada Jantalee, 50, who stayed overnight at the hospital, said she felt relieved when she saw the Queen’s smile and was very happy to have an audience with her.
‘‘The Queen has asked me and people to jointly give moral support to the King,’’ said Jurai Petnok, 58. The two were among the estimated 10,000 people who flocked to the hospital yesterday to show their support for the King.
Many wore yellow T-shirts and called out ‘‘Long live the King and Queen’’. Others fixed their eyes upon the 16th floor of the Chalermprakiet Building, where the King was staying.
respiration – breathing การหายใจ
recovery – the process of becoming well again after an illness or injury ฟื้น(จากการไข้) หายป่วย
rehabilitation – helping to have a normal, useful life again after they have been very ill / sick or in prison for a long time ฟื้นฟูให้กลับสู่สภาพเดิม
therapy – the treatment of a physical problem or an illness การบำบัด
admit – to take someone into a hospital or other institution so that they can receive special care เข้ารับการรักษาในโรงพยาบาล
inadequate – not enough ไม่เพียงพอ
respiratory – connected with breathing เกี่ยวกับทางเดินหายใจ
physiotherapists – people who are trained to treat people with a disease, injury or weakness in the joints or muscles, especially by exercise, massage and the use of light and heat นักกายภาพบำบัด
bouquets – bunches of flowers arranged in an attractive way ช่อดอกไม้
patients – people who are receiving medical treatment, especially in a hospital ผู้ป่วย
boost – to increase; to make become better or more successful เพิ่ม ในที่นี้หมายถึง ให้กำลังใจ
morale – the amount of confidence and enthusiasm, etc. that a person or group has at a particular time ขวัญกำลังใจ
tumour – a mass of cells growing in or on a part of the body where they should not, usually causing medical problems เนื้ัองอก
audience – a formal meeting with an important person, especially royalty เข้าเฝ้า
jointly – together ร่วมกัน
moral support – the act of giving someone encouragement by showing your interest or approval การให้กำลังใจ (ถวายพระพร)
fixed their eyes – looked directly at for a long time จ้องตาไม่กระพริบ
By 8pm, 8,873 citizens from all walks of life had signed the get well book provided at the 100 Years Somdet Phrasrinakarindra Building.
They included M.L. Usni Pramoj, Thanphuying Boonruen and her son Kraisak Choonhavan, former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, Democrat member Korn Chatikavanij, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, and representatives of the Bangkok Islamic Committee.
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra sent Bannapot Damapong, a stepbrother of his wife Khunying Potjaman, to sign the book on their behalf.
Many people who turned up at the hospital expressed concern that the King had been working too hard over the past few months, when he has met officials from several state agencies such as the Mineral Resources Department to discuss the risk of landslides and the poor soil quality in the Northeast.
He also gave advice to Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin on a city flood prevention scheme last month.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has provided parking space at Sanam Luang for people who want to wish the King well at the hospital.
Shuttle buses will transport them between Sanam Luang and Tha Phra Chan pier, where they can take a ferry across the Chao Phraya river to the hospital.
relieved – feeling happy because something unpleasant has not happened รู้สึกโล่งใจ
rapid – done or happening quickly รวดเร็ว
regards – respect or admiration for someone ความรำลึกถึง
on their behalf - ในนาม
ousted – forced to leave a position of power ถูกขับจากตำแหน่ง
landslides – masses of earth, rock, etc. that fall down the slopes of mountains or cliffs แผ่นดินถล่ม
ferry – a boat that carries people, vehicles and goods across a river or across a narrow part of the sea เรือข้ามฟาก