FILE - Supporters of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, carrying portraits and banners, are seen celebarting his 87th birthday, in Bangkok, Thailand, Dec. 5, 2014.
Source: Voice of America
BANGKOK —
Thailand's stock market and currency have tumbled and the prime minister has canceled an overseas trip amid concerns about long-ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej's health. His son, the crown prince, returned to Thailand from Germany.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand's benchmark fell nearly 7 percent Wednesday afternoon before recovering somewhat for a 4.1 percent loss for the day. Thai stocks have slid daily since Sunday, when the royal palace announced that Bhumibol's condition was unstable, the first time it has used that phrase regarding the king's health.
Also Wednesday, the Thai baht fell 1.1 percent to end at 35.76 to a dollar.
Bhumibol, 88, is the world's longest reigning monarch. He has spent most of the last decade in a hospital.
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Comment from Capital Economics from an article in the Business Insider.
"The failing health of the king adds another layer of uncertainty to an already highly unpredictable situation," argued Capital Economics' Krystal Tan and Gareth Leather in a note.
The situation "poses a key risk to the country’s economy. His death would plunge the country back into political crisis, which in turn could push the economy into recession."
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Scores of Thais are gathered at Siriraj Hospital to pray for King Bhumibol. @PanuCNA with more https://t.co/yg4mB2CpHl pic.twitter.com/woYyDHPBHE— Channel NewsAsia (@ChannelNewsAsia) October 12, 2016
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ROYAL CHILDREN GATHER AT SIRIRAJ HOSPITAL, PRAYUTH CANCELS EVENTS
Holding portraits of His Majesty the King, well-wishers camp out on Wednesday to pray for King Bhumibol at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok.
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter -
October 12, 2016 3:46 pm
Khaosod English
BANGKOK — Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and his sisters visited the hospital Wednesday afternoon where His Majesty King Bhumibol is being treated while Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha rushed back to the capital, where anxiety mounted about the monarch’s health.
His Royal Highness Vajiralongkorn went to Siriraj Hospital after arriving in Bangkok from Munich earlier in the day. A large crowd has been growing at the hospital to pray for the speedy recovery of His Majesty the King, whose health has worsened, according to information released Sunday by the palace.
His royal motorcade arrived just after 5pm, two hours after Princess Chulabhorn and about 20 minutes after Princess Ubolratana arrived to visit their father. The road outside the hospital was closed just before the arrival of Princess Sirindhorn at 6:22pm.
Before 8pm, members of the royal family appeared to have left in motorcades from the hospital. A statement was issued by the palace shortly after 8pm saying the King had a blood infection and liver problems. It said he was being closely monitored and his condition remained unstable for a fifth day.
unta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha canceled a state visit in Chonburi province, as well as a scheduled visit to Rayong province and flew back to Bangkok by helicopter, reportedly to greet the prince.
Meanwhile crowds were swelling outside Siriraj Hospital, where many joined mass Buddhist prayers for the king’s health to improve.
The outpouring of concern and support for the 88-year-old monarch followed an update on King Bhumibol’s frail health on Sunday. The palace statement said the king was in an unstable condition with low blood pressure after being treated with hemodialysis and brain fluid removal a day earlier.
King Bhumibol has spent much of the past seven years at Siriraj Hospital. His delicate health is a cause of concern for many Thais, who see him as the spiritual leader of the nation.
There were some expectations online that the junta chairman would address the nation in a televised address at 4pm, but Prayuth’s secretary Wilas Aroonsri said there was no plans for such.
Additional reporting Sasiwan Mokkhasen from Siriraj Hospital
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BANGKOK — Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and his sisters visited the hospital Wednesday afternoon where His Majesty King Bhumibol is being treated while Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha rushed back to the capital, where anxiety mounted about the monarch’s health.
His Royal Highness Vajiralongkorn went to Siriraj Hospital after arriving in Bangkok from Munich earlier in the day. A large crowd has been growing at the hospital to pray for the speedy recovery of His Majesty the King, whose health has worsened, according to information released Sunday by the palace.
His royal motorcade arrived just after 5pm, two hours after Princess Chulabhorn and about 20 minutes after Princess Ubolratana arrived to visit their father. The road outside the hospital was closed just before the arrival of Princess Sirindhorn at 6:22pm.
Before 8pm, members of the royal family appeared to have left in motorcades from the hospital. A statement was issued by the palace shortly after 8pm saying the King had a blood infection and liver problems. It said he was being closely monitored and his condition remained unstable for a fifth day.
unta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha canceled a state visit in Chonburi province, as well as a scheduled visit to Rayong province and flew back to Bangkok by helicopter, reportedly to greet the prince.
Meanwhile crowds were swelling outside Siriraj Hospital, where many joined mass Buddhist prayers for the king’s health to improve.
The outpouring of concern and support for the 88-year-old monarch followed an update on King Bhumibol’s frail health on Sunday. The palace statement said the king was in an unstable condition with low blood pressure after being treated with hemodialysis and brain fluid removal a day earlier.
King Bhumibol has spent much of the past seven years at Siriraj Hospital. His delicate health is a cause of concern for many Thais, who see him as the spiritual leader of the nation.
There were some expectations online that the junta chairman would address the nation in a televised address at 4pm, but Prayuth’s secretary Wilas Aroonsri said there was no plans for such.
Additional reporting Sasiwan Mokkhasen from Siriraj Hospital
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