Thai queen told to rest after dizziness

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (R) sits next to Queen Sirikit (L) during a review of the honor guard as a part of the celebration to commemorate his 81th birthday at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok on December 2, 2008. AFP FILE PHOTO

BANGKOK – Doctors have advised Thailand’s Queen Sirikit to rest after an exam showed a slight reduction in blood flow to her brain.

The Royal Palace announced Sunday that the 79-year-old queen had felt dizziness and staggered slightly while walking for exercise a day earlier. However, she remained conscious and could speak.

It said a physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a slight shortage of blood in the cerebellum, but no hemorrhaging.

The problem came just over a week after King Bhumibol Adulyadej was found to have bleeding in his brain’s outer membrane that caused twitching in his hand. He said to have recovered after receiving intravenous medication.

The 84-year-old king, the world’s longest-serving monarch, is Thailand’s most revered figure and news of the royal family’s health is carefully watched.