Thai King Bhumibol's health not stable, palace says

The health of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is "not stable".

According to palace officials, King Bhumibol, 88, is the world's longest reigning monarch, but has spent much of the last year in hospital and is rarely seen in public. 

He is widely revered in Thailand, where he is seen as an arbiter in the divided political arena.

His doctors said they had now sought formal permission for the king to stop performing any official duties.

A statement from the palace said the king's blood pressure had dropped as he was being prepared for haemodialysis, a procedure used to treat kidney failure.

Doctors are now monitoring his condition closely.  King Bhumibol has been on the Thai throne since 1946. 

BBC