"Successful and satisfactory"

July 21, 2006

Today's front-page story is much like yesterday's as it strives to capture a sense of the huge outpouring of support for the King in his hour of need. Like all Thailand's major newspapers, the Bangkok Post makes extensive use of photos and I have reproduced many of them for you on this page. 

The main news of the story came right at the top, so that is a good place to begin. If you are Thai, you have undoubtably read or heard the short announcement of the results of the operation made late last night by the Royal Household Bureau. Here is your chance to see how it was expressed in English.

hailed – praised as successful or important
strive – to make a great effort to do something; to try hard
extensive – great; including a lot of something
reproduced – copied

You can hear the mp3 sound files by clicking on the headphone symbol throughout the story.

Surgery hailed a success

- Entire Royal Family stays close to King during his operation
- Religious gatherings here, overseas pray for speedy recovery
- Recuperation from complicated surgery may take some time

POST REPORTERS

A wave of joy rippled through Siriraj Hospital last night after the Royal Household Bureau announced that the spine operation on His Majesty the King was a success. ''Doctors were satisfied with the operation. The outcome was successful and satisfactory. After a period of observation, there were no complications,'' the announcement said.

The estimated 100 people who were waiting, some since early morning, rushed to read the statement. They immediately called family and friends on their mobile phones to pass on the news.

The entire Royal Family stayed near the King throughout the operation. They were seen emerging from the Sayamindra Building at 10.26pm.

recuperation – the process of recovering your health and strength after you have been ill or injured
rippled – moved across or through
complications – medical problems
emerged – came out

For our international visitors, the rest of the story is going to be an interesting experience. You will see many expressions of the love Thai people have for the King, of course, but you get a glimpse of the wide variety of ways they express it. As you will see, there is a strong belief here in the supernatural.

Thousands had turned out at the hospital to wish His Majesty well before doctors began microsurgery on the lumbar region of his back yesterday afternoon.

In the provinces, people rose early to give alms to monks so the King would benefit from the merit. Then they went their separate ways to perform ceremonies they believed would help speed his recovery.

In Si Sa Ket, people were ecstatic when an ancient stone statue could be lifted three times, believing it to be a prophecy that the King would recover from his illness.

In Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan and Tak people meditated and performed rituals believed to lengthen life.

At Siriraj, there were tears and shouts of joy when the King arrived. Camera in hand, he stopped occasionally to take photographs of his subjects as he walked to the Chalermprakiet Building.

An hour later, people jostled for a better sight of him when he proceeded in a wheelchair into the Sayamindra Building where he was prepared for microsurgical decompression of his lower spine. ''Long live the King,'' they chanted again.

''I don't know why I cry when I see him,'' said Panitcha Chandrapanichkul, a third-year medical student at Mahidol University, wiping tears from her cheeks.

''Seeing him is the happiest moment in my life. He stopped to look at us for just a few seconds, but that is enough for me. I want him to recover soon and stay with us forever,'' she said.

Many people flocked to the statue of Prince of Songkhla, the King's father, and uttered in one voice their wish for the King's recovery. They also sang several times the song, Sadudee Maha Raja, in praise of the monarch.

''I cried because the King looked very thin. I don't know how to help him. I just ask the sacred Three Gems to bring good health to him,'' said Niyom Lertsawang, a Bangkok resident.

glimpse - a brief look at something
supernatural - events, forces or powers that cannot be explained by science
microsurgery – a careful and precise operation carried out with the aid of a microscope to give the surgeon a clear view of the process. With microsurgery there is less damage done to the patient and less blood loss, so recovery times are usually quicker than traditional surgery
lumbar – of the lower back
merit – good karma through giving, morally positive actions and meditation
ecstatic – very happy and full of excitement
prophecy – a statement of what will happen in the future
rituals – religious services or other cermoneys which involve a series of actions performed in a fixed order
jostled – bumped against or pushed
microsurgical decompression – an operation that uses a small incision (cut) in the lumbar region and then a microscope to remove small pieces of bone, thus relieving pressure on the nerve system
flocked – went in large numbers
uttered – said (words or sounds)
monarch - a king, queen, emporer or empress
sacred – believed to be holy

At one time, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family raised the curtain and waved to the crowd from the top floor of the building.

Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, Public Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin were among high-ranking visitors who turned up at the hospital.

Dr Serm Pringpongkaew, a senior citizen, joined them. ''I want him to get well soon because he is in the hearts of all Thais,'' he said.

A senior doctor at Siriraj Hospital said the operation was not minor. It would take some time for the monarch to recover from what was complicated post-surgery treatment.

''That's the reason why we have foreign experts attending the operation,'' he said.

Siriraj Hospital director Dr Prasit Watanapa and his team assured the crowd gathered at the Prince of Songkhla statue that they were ready to carry out their task.

Payao Areekul, 66, expressed concern about the uncertain political situation. Everyone claimed they loved the King and wore a yellow shirt, but they still battled for power, she said.

''When the King recovers, the conflict will start again. Why don't they try to stop, to make the King happy?'' she said.

curtain – alarge piece of material which you hang from the top of a window
Privy Council – a group of the King’s closest advisors
conflict – a serious disagreement or argument

Across the country, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Christians met for prayers at 5pm, about an hour after surgery began, to wish the King well.

In the United States, the Thai consulate-general in Los Angeles worked with Thai residents and a Thai temple to organise a mass prayer for the King's recovery. Thai embassies around the world opened books for Thai communities to send their wishes to the King.

Across Thailand, in the provinces and districts, people queued to sign similar books, every page expressing concern for the King. Authorities said they would compile all the messages and present them to the monarch as encouragement for his recovery.

Several religious gatherings marked the day. In Tak province, more than 200 Muslims congregated to ask blessings for the King. In Yala, another 1,000 Muslims congregated, as did many others in Songkhla. The Chularajmontri called on masjids to organise well-wishing books and prayers. The Catholic Council of Thailand said the King was in all Catholics' prayers.

In Phitsanulok, more than 500 people meditated, asking in particular for the spirit of King Naresuan to protect the King and speed his recovery.

In Ubon Ratchatani, more than 100 people dressed in white in a gesture of sacrifice. Monks chanted all 15 chapters of the Chinna Banchorn prayers so the King may triumph over the odds nine times. In Ayutthaya, at least 20,000 people are expected to converge at the town hall today to light candles and ask the 33 kings of the Ayutthaya period to help speed the King's recovery.

consulate-general – the head of a diplomatic mission in another country which deals with matters related to individuals or businesses
residents – people who live in an area
embassy – the buildings where government officials, headed by ambassador, represent their country in another country
congregated – gathered together
gesture – a symbolic action
sacrifice – giving up something that is valuable or important to you
chanted – repeated a word or group of words over and over again
triumph over the odds – to succeed or win despite the dangers or risks
converge – to come together at a single place

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