Thailand's King Has Prostate Surgery by Phairath Khampha 3 February 2002 The King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, had prostate surgery at a Bangkok hospital. The operation had been successful and His Majesty was in good condition and had been returned to his room. The Royal Palace issued a statement saying that the 74-year-old monarch was in a stable condition and the condition was improving. It said prostate enlargement was not unusual for a man of his age, and that the king had taken medication for his condition for several years. However, surgery was needed once the medication was no longer effective, and the enlargement of the prostate was removed. The transurethral prostatectomy began at 5.45pm and finished at 6.20pm, the bureau said in its second statement on the operation. In the first statement, the Royal Household Bureau said announced that doctors had been treating the benign prostatic hyperplasia with medication for five years since finding that the mild prostate growth was pressing on the urethra. The statement said the medication had cured the symptom of frequent urination but the prostate had enlarged further. As a result, after a complete medical check-up on December 11, doctors recommended that His Majesty should undergo a transurethral prostatectomy to remove the excess prostate tissue. His Majesty the King was recovering well after prostate surgery, Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana said on February 4. Speaking in Chiang Mai, the princess said His Majesty was recuperating and doctors at Siriraj hospital, where he underwent the surgery, were satisfied with the pace of recovery. The princess said the King was in a comfortable state and thanked the people for their concern for his health. News of His Majesty's operation resulted in a large number of people--politicians, government officials and dignitaries--filing into Siriraj hospital to sign a guest book from early February 4 morning. A statement by the Royal Household, quoting the medical team's report, said that His Majesty had a good night's sleep and that his temperature and heartbeat were normal. He was also eating. The doctors had removed the saline drip the evening of February 4 and the King was able to walk around his room. A biopsy of the prostate enlargement confirmed that it was benign. Her Majesty the Queen spent February 3 night at the hospital looking after the King. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was also present at the hospital. HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana visited the hospital February 4 evening. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Chiang Mai, Princess Ubolratana said His Majesty felt better and was free of pain after the successful surgery. "His Majesty wanted to convey his appreciation for everyone's concern for his recovery," the Princess said. The King's grandson Bhumi Jensen, senior government officials, and leading public figures wrote get-well messages in the Royal Household books placed at Siriraj's Centennial Pavilion. 'Lively' HM heads home after surgery Thailand's King on February 5 left Siriraj Hospital at 8.30pm. Looking lively, His Majesty greeted people waiting outside his recovery room at the hospital. His Majesty was accompanied from the room by all four of his children - His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralong-korn, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana, and Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya. The King, the Crown Prince and the Princesses yesterday wore T-shirts printed with a photo of Thongdaeng, the King's dog, and Thongdaeng's "family". The photo used was a snap taken by HM the King himself. The Royal Household was selling the T-shirt to raise funds for the Bangkok Animal Hospital. The T-shirt was also available at the hospital, and many people were happy to spend 300 baht (US$6.75) to get one. That evening, the Royal Household issued its last statement about the King's recovery. It said His Majesty was to leave Siriraj Hospital and return to Chitralada Villa at the Dusit Palace. According to the statement, the medical team agreed that the King had recovered well after undergoing the brief operation. The King, therefore, could continue his convolescence at the Royal Palace. The King also thanked all well-wishers who paid visits and signed the official visiting books during his stay at the hospital, the Royal Household said.