King recovering on soft food diet, fever subsides

His Majesty the King is getting over his fever and his temperature returned to normal at times on Sunday.

The Royal Household Bureau quoted royal physicians as saying Sunday that the King's condition was improving.

His fever had dropped from Saturday and his temperature at times returned to normal.

The King's sore throat was also getting better and he could eat soft food. Blood tests showed he was getting over his infection.

The fever kept the King from delivering his annual public address on the eve of his Dec 5 birthday last week.

On Sunday the government hosted a birthday party in honour of the King at the navy auditorium by the Chao Phraya river, opposite the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Princess Ubolratana presided over the party in the presence of 2,800 guests and their spouses.

Among them was acting Prime Minister Chaovarat Charnveerakul who delivered a speech wishing the King well and proposed a toast.

Other participants included Parliament President Chai Chidchob, Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Chakkrabat, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, ambassadors to Bangkok and senior governmental officials.

The party also included a fireworks display by the Royal Thai Army Chemical Department.