Thai king sitting up, eating again after treatment

BANGKOK, Oct 15 (Reuters) Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, was sitting up and eating on Monday, two days after being treated for ''slightly'' inadequate blood flow to his brain, the palace said today.

''The cerebral cortex which was slightly lacking in blood supply and the neurological system which was found to be irregular has returned to normal,'' the palace quoted doctors treating the 79-year-old monarch as saying.

''The muscles in his leg and right arm have more energy and have almost returned to normal,'' it said in a statement.

Thousands of people wearing yellow shirts -- the colour of the king's birthday in Thailand, where each day is associated with a colour -- flocked to Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital today to wish him a speedy recovery.

Many carried royal flags and the picture of the king, who will celebrate his 80th birthday in December.

He was taken to hospital on Saturday complaining of weakness in his right side. Tests showed a slight lessening of the flow of blood to his brain.

Bespectacled and quietly spoken, King Bhumibol, who presided over the celebration of his 60th year on the throne in June last year, has been a powerful force for national unity during a series of military coups and constitutional experiments and is genuinely revered in Thailand.

REUTERS SKB PM1805