King, Queen's health 'satisfactory'
Their Majesties the King and Queen, who are at their seaside palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan, are both in a "satisfactory" medical condition, according to the royal doctors.
“Their health condition is good. They are safe,” HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana said during a recent interview.
The Princess was speaking with Vuthithorn Militachinda, better known as Woody, in a telecast on Sunday night on Modernine TV.
Their Majesties, both in their 80s, have had long stays at Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital as inpatients. On August 1, the Royal Couple left the hospital and headed to Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district, where doctors had prepared the necessary medical equipment and services.
The Princess said Klai Kangwon Palace was a favourite place for her parents. It was the King, she said, who came up with the idea to move to the palace.
“He went to Her Majesty’s room at the hospital and asked if she would like to go to Hua Hin, and ‘Yes’ was her answer,” the Princess said during the interview.
She said that at Klai Kangwon Palace, His Majesty became more cheerful.
Regarding the Queen’s health condition, the Princess said Her Majesty had suffered a stroke affecting a small blood vessel in her brain about a year ago.
“One week after the stroke, she had recovered quickly. Now, she can walk around,” the Princess said.
Asked why Her Majesty made few public appearances these days, the Princess said the Queen had never offered a reason.
“But as a woman, perhaps I can say why,” she said, pointing out that women naturally do not want others to see them when they are not looking their best.
The Princess firmly dismissed a rumour that Their Majesties decided to leave Siriraj Hospital as political turmoil looked set to break out in Bangkok.
“It’s not true,” the Princess said. “His Majesty had long wished to go to Klai Kangwon Palace.”
Asked to comment on the country’s situation, the Princess said, “Some things prove depressing. I offer help where I can. My parents have taught me that royals must serve the people. We will do whatever we can to ease the suffering of Thais.”
She added that some changes had happened in the country because some people had changed.
“It’s sad that some people are so self-interested,” she lamented.
The Princess urged people to prioritise the national interest if they had love and sympathy for Their Majesties.
“No matter what you do, please think about the country first. Without a peaceful and stable country, we can’t live happily,” she said.
