What's "wrong" with the Thai king?

Someone is not telling Thai people the truth about king Bhumibol's current state of health. The Thai king has been in hospital for four whole days, and it's not just a "routine" check up, as the Thai press continue to claim. At the risk of contradicting Thailand's Prime Minister, the king's condition is most definitely "a problem".

So what exactly is "wrong" with the Thai king? Well, according to Thai sources, Bhumibol has "lost his appetite" and is feeling "tired". That's all. But, I'm also a bit hungry, and tired too, yet you don't see me rushing off to my local hospital for treatment. No-one needs to stay in hospital for four days just for that, a quick sandwich and a nap is all that's needed, right? If it's that trivial.

But the problem is not so trivial. It's far more serious than just not having "the munchies". The truth is that Bhumibol has severe breathing problems and is on huge doses of antibiotics. According to US News Today, king Bhumibol has "bronchitis and an inflamed oesophagus". That would explain why the king of Thailand has been kept in hospital for four days.

So what do these "big" medical words really mean? I'm not a doctor, but I would say that it's quite serious to have "bronchitis" even when you're young and fit: Bhumibol is 81 years old. And what exactly is an "inflamed oesophagus"? Is that just a fancy way of saying "sore throat"? Or is it more serious?

My guess is that someone is trying to play this issue down and censoring Thai news programmes. Perhaps because they think Thai people will run out into the streets and start killing each other. Listen guys. Censorship is always counter productive. When is the Thai government going to learn that?

One more thing. Perhaps Thaksin's wife doesn't know this, but where I come from, "white flowers" are a symbol of death, and only ever used in funerals. A bunch of white flowers is not the best present to give the Thai king at this time. Maybe.