Princess says King "doing well"

       Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn has confirmed His Majesty the King is recovering from his illness and his condition is not serious.
       The princess told an audience at the Thai embassy in Berlin yesterday His Majesty was making steady progress.
       Her statement was the first time a member of the royal family had spoken about His Majesty's condition since he was admitted to Siriraj Hospital for treatment for inflammation of the lungs on Sept 19.
       The princess was in Germany to receive the Windaus Medal from the University of Georg-August Gottingen on Thursday in recognition of her role as an outstanding scientist. She left for Germany on Tuesday and will return to Thailand today.
       Princess Chulabhorn said the King had a high fever during his first week in hospital which kept him confined to his bed.
       "His Majesty was out of strength when he had the high fever. But now his temperature has come down," she said.
       Doctors are keeping a close eye on His Majesty's health and the condition of his lungs.
       X-rays show the fluid in his lungs has cleared up. His heart is also in good shape, she said.
       The princess said His Majesty was undergoing physical therapy, which was normal for an elderly person who has spent many days in bed.
       The physical therapy is performed so the King can stand up and walk about normally."The therapy will take some more time. That is why His Majesty has not been discharged from hospital. As far as his condition is concerned, the doctors say there is no danger.
       "Now, His Majesty speaks and takes his meals almost as normal. He has a very healthy appetite," she said.
       Princess Chulabhorn said Her Majesty the Queen was always at the King's bedside. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn also spends the night at the hospital.
       The princess said she had also stayed over at the hospital.
       "There is a funny moment. I went to see the King at meal time and His Majesty challenged me to an eating duel.
       "His Majesty knows that since childhood, I haven't been fond of vegetables.I don't take vegetables.
       "A spinach soup was served that day and I agreed to the duel ... I had one portion of the soup and His Majesty had another."
       The Royal Household Bureau yesterday said the King now only had an intermittent fever. His Majesty has a normal appetite and sleeps well.
       X-rays show the inflammation of his lungs has reduced and doctors only take his temperature when needed.
       The Stock Exchange of Thailand index fell 2% on Wednesday and 5.3% on Thursday on concerns about His Majesty's health, but rebounded 3.5% yesterday.
       Special Branch Police commissioner Theeradech Rodphothong said the branch was trying to identify the source of the rumours that caused the stock market to dive.
       SET rallies as worries ease: Page B1
       "The therapy will take some more time. That is why His Majesty has not been discharged from hospital. As far as his condition is concerned, the doctors say there is no danger.