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BANGKOK : Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has a "mild fever", the royal household announced on Friday, as the nation celebrated his 81st birthday with fireworks and song.
But the Royal Household Bureau said blood tests had not found any bacterial illness, in its first official update on the king's health since he cancelled his annual birthday-eve speech on Thursday with a sore throat.
The king had "mild fever in the morning" on Friday the statement said, despite his temperature reducing on Thursday.
On Wednesday evening, "the king had a sore throat and pain at the top of his oesophagus when he swallowed and was slightly feverish," the statement said.
"On December 4th his sore throat worsened, he had no appetite and the doctor gave him saline solution and antibiotics and his fever reduced," it went on.
News of the king's illness has sparked concern among Thais who hope for guidance from the world's longest reigning monarch amid a political crisis that earlier this week crippled the country's airports.
The king's children, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, took his place in a national radio address on Thursday, announcing that the king was "mildly" sick as millions of Thais tuned in.
On Friday, Metropolitan police estimated 50,000 people packed into Sanam Luang in central Bangkok for the annual birthday ceremony - not attended by royalty but presided over this year by acting premier Chavarat Charnvirakul.
Community groups took turns to symbolically offer flowers and candles to the king, a practice repeated in district halls throughout the country.
At the auspicious time of 7.29pm Chavarat then lit a giant yellow candle and made an address in the king's honour before the crowds sang the traditional two songs - the royal anthem and "Praise to the great king" - and a huge fireworks display filled the sky. - AFP/ms
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