Further improvement
October 16, 2007Today's story is much the same as yesterday's and, not surprisingly, you'll see much of the same vocabulary. You'll find out how the King's condition continues to improve and about the massive outpouring of goodwill toward's Thailand's beloved monarch.
massive – very large จำนวนมาก
outpouring – a strong and sudden expression of feeling หลั่งไหล พรั่งพรู
monarch – a king or queen พระมหากษัตริย์ กษัตริย์ หรือ พระราชินี
King’s condition improves as crowds throng to Siriraj
Photo:
Well-wishers travel on a shuttle bus from Sanam Luang to give their
best wishes to His Majesty the King who is receiving treatment at
Siriraj Hospital. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration normally
operates the buses for inner-city tours, but they are now plying the
route between Sanam Luang and Tha Phra Chan pier, where people can
cross the Chao Phraya river to reach the hospital. APICHART JINAKULHis Majesty the King’s left cerebral cortex has returned to normal after experiencing slightly reduced blood flow that caused weakness on the right side of his body, the Committee of Royal Physicians said yesterday.
Two days after being admitted to Siriraj Hospital, the King’s right side has recovered to nearly normal strength.
‘‘The abnormal neurological findings have returned to normal,’’ the committee said in a statement. ‘‘His Majesty is able to sit in a chair at the dinner table for his meals. He is in good spirits.’’
The statement confirming the King’s rapid recovery brought relief to thousands of well-wishers who flocked to the hospital for a second day yesterday.
A representative of the Sultan of Malaysia’s Kelantan state and his royal consort Tengku Anis and American ambassador to Thailand Ralph Boyce arrived at the hospital yesterday afternoon with bouquets of flowers for the King and to offer best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Free ferry and shuttle bus services are being provided for people going to Siriraj Hospital to give moral support to the King, who will turn 80 on Dec 5.
Provided by the Marine Department, the free ferry service runs from Tha Chang and Phran Nok piers to Siriraj pier from 7am to 7pm.
Private ferry operator Chao Phraya Express Boat Co will offer free ferry services from Tha Chang and Tha Phra Chan piers to Siriraj on weekends.
The services will be offered until the King recovers, said Marine Department chief Prasong Tanmaneewattana.
Thailand Post yesterday said people could mail postcards and letters to the King for free to express their best wishes.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has arranged a free daily shuttle bus service to transport well-wishers between Sanam Luang and Tha Phra Chan pier, where they can take a ferry across the Chao Phraya river to the hospital, from 8am to 8pm. Parking space has also been provided at Sanam Luang for those with private vehicles.
pier – a long low structure built in a lake, river or the sea and joined to the land at one end, used by boats to allow passengers to get on and off ท่าเรือข้ามฟาก
plying – (of buses, ships, etc.) traveling regularly along a particular เดินรถ
cerebral cortex – the outer layer of the brain ผิวสมองชั้นนอก
physicians – doctors แพทย์
admitted – took someone into a hospital or other institution so that they can receive special care เข้ารับการรักษาในโรงพยาบาล
recover – to become well again after an illness or injury ฟื้น(จากการไข้) หายป่วย
abnormal – not normal; different from what is usual or expected ผิดปกติ
neurological – relating to the nerves เนื่อง, เกี่ยวกับระบบประสาท
spirits – a person’s feelings or state of mind สภาพจิตใจ
rapid – done or happening quickly รวดเร็ว
relief – a feeling of happiness because something unpleasant has not happened ความรู้สึกโล่งใจ
consort – the husband or wife of a ruler พระราชชายา
ferry – a boat that carries people, vehicles and goods across a river or across a narrow part of the sea เรือข้ามฟาก
shuttle bus – a bus that travels regularly between two places รถโดยสารประจำทาง ที่วิ่งไป-กลับระหว่างที่หนึ่งไปยังอีกที่หนึ่ง
moral support – the act of giving someone encouragement by showing your interest or approval การให้กำลังใจ (ถวายพระพร)
As crowds arrived early at the hospital, the Royal Household Bureau allowed them to sign the books starting at 6am, an hour earlier than scheduled.
National police chief Pol Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej, who led senior police officers to pay their respects to the King’s late parents yesterday, said more than 200 city police have been deployed at the hospital to provide safety for the King during his stay.
National Buddhism Office spokesman Somchai Surachatri said senior monks from all Bangkok temples would today gather at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to chant prayers for His Majesty’s speedy recovery. Abbots across the country will also chant prayers at their temples, he said.
stream – a continuous flow of people or vehicles ที่หลั่งไหล พรั่งพรูเข้ัามา
queued – waited in a line of people เข้าแถว
paid homage – showed respect for someon ถวายคำนับ ถวายความเคารพ
compound – an area in which a group of buildings stand บริเวณ
pay their respects – to pay homage to someone; to show respect for someone ถวายความเคารพ
deployed – put in position ready to carry out their duties จัดกำลัง
chant – to sing or say a religious song or prayer using only a few notes that are repeated many times ร้องเพลงเห่กล่อม หรือสวดมนต์เป็นทำนอง
abbot – the head monk at a temple เจ้าอาวาส