VOA标准英语2009年-Thai King, World's Longest-Serving Monarch

By Ron Corben
Bangkok
21 September 2009

Thailand's king, the world's longest serving monarch¹, has been hospitalized on advice from his doctors. The hospitalization of the revered² monarch is causing concern among the Thai public.

 
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, left, is presented by the Chief Court Brahmin with lustral water and sacred leaves at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand (File)
A statement from the Royal Palace said King Bhumipol Adulyadej was admitted to the hospital Saturday, suffering from fever and fatigue³.
 
The 81-year-old king has presided over Thailand for more than 60 years and is deeply revered by Thais.
 
The palace says the king is receiving treatment and antibiotics⁴ on the advice of his doctors. He had visited the hospital earlier in the week.
 
Professor Thongthong Chandrangsu, secretary general of the Thai Education Council, says the king's long reign⁵ means he has a special place in Thai society.
 
"After being on the throne for over 63 years he is a supreme⁶ leader of this society," he said. "His work and his actions express his sincere concern for the benefit and the wealth of the Thai people. So we appreciate his leadership and we wish he will be our king forever."
 
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is traveling to the United States this week, told reporters prior to his departure the doctors had assured him the king's health was not a cause for concern.
 
Crowds flocked to the Siriraj hospital Sunday as news spread of the king's illness. Professor Thongthong said people had gathered to wish the king a quick recovery.
 
"Thousands of people gathered around the Siriraj [hospital] area with the same feeling in our hearts for to humbly⁷ ask His Majesty⁸ the king to return to the healthy situation as soon as possible," he said.
 
The issue of the king's health is highly sensitive in Thailand as he has faced health concerns over recent years. In 2007, he suffered symptoms associated with a minor⁹ stroke. He has also received treatment for a heart condition.
 
Last December, King Bhumipol was unable to deliver his annual birthday speech to the nation due to health reasons.
 
The king, while being viewed as above politics, has played a stabilizing¹⁰ role over the years in Thailand's often fractious political climate.
 
On several occasions he has used his significant influence to ease tensions or call on political adversaries¹¹ to end their dispute.

 

1 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。

2 revered   

v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• A number of institutions revered and respected in earlier times have become Aunt Sally for the present generation. 一些早年受到尊崇的惯例，现在已经成了这代人嘲弄的对象了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Chinese revered corn as a gift from heaven. 中国人将谷物奉为上天的恩赐。 来自辞典例句

3 fatigue   

n.疲劳，劳累

参考例句：

• The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
• I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。

4 antibiotics   

n.（用作复数）抗生素；（用作单数）抗生物质的研究；抗生素，抗菌素( antibiotic的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century 20世纪抗生素的发现
• The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. 医生给我开了抗生素。

5 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

6 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

7 humbly   

adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地

参考例句：

• We humbly beg Your Majesty to show mercy. 我们恳请陛下发发慈悲。
• "You must be right, Sir,'said John humbly. “你一定是对的，先生，”约翰恭顺地说道。

8 majesty   

n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权

参考例句：

• The king had unspeakable majesty.国王有无法形容的威严。
• Your Majesty must make up your mind quickly!尊贵的陛下，您必须赶快做出决定！

9 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

10 stabilizing   

n.稳定化处理[退火]v.（使）稳定， （使）稳固( stabilize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The disulfide bridges might then be viewed primarily as stabilizing components. 二硫桥可以被看作是初级的稳定因素。 来自辞典例句
• These stabilizing design changes are usually not desirable for steady-state operation. 这些增加稳定性的设计改变通常不太符合稳态工作的要求。 来自辞典例句

11 adversaries   

n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• That would cause potential adversaries to recoil from a challenge. 这会迫使潜在的敌人在挑战面前退缩。 来自辞典例句
• Every adversaries are more comfortable with a predictable, coherent America. 就连敌人也会因有可以预料的，始终一致的美国而感到舒服得多。 来自辞典例句