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BANGKOK : Thailand's widely-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has been admitted to hospital with a fever, the royal household said on Sunday.
The 81-year-old king went to a Bangkok hospital on Saturday night and is receiving an intravenous drip and antibiotics, his household said in a statement.
"On Saturday, September 19, 2009, the king had a fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. The medical team invited him to go to Siriraj hospital to find the cause and get medical treatment," the statement said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced earlier that he learnt the king went to hospital on Saturday, but said it was only for a check-up, adding: "His Majesty's condition is not a problem."
King Bhumibol has long projected an image as the only unifying figure in a nation that has seen 23 prime ministers, 16 constitutions and at least as many coups during his 61-year reign.
Thai students are taught that respect for the king, patriotism and religious devotion are closely intertwined, giving him an almost divine status in Thailand's Buddhist society.
Last month, he issued the latest in a series of warnings since a September 2006 coup ousted then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that the country could "collapse" if Thailand's feuding political factions do not unite.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Saturday, the third anniversary of the coup, to listen to a video speech by the exiled Thaksin.
King Bhumibol was diagnosed as suffering from "mild fever" in December as he celebrated his birthday, causing him to cancel his annual birthday eve speech.
His children, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, took his place in a national radio address. - AFP/ms
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