Thailand: monarch in hospital to undergo back surgery

Thailand: monarch in hospital to undergo back surgery

A statement issued by the palace Monday said that the need for surgery stemmed from a problem detected three years ago in the king's spinal canal, which had become aggravated by age.

A team of orthopedic and other experts "have examined the X-rays and found that his majesty's spine near the waist had changed due to age."

Doctors decided on May 3 that surgery was required but put off the operation until now because the recovery period would have interfered with festivities in mid-June organized to celebrate the king's 60th anniversary on the throne, the AP reports.