/ 5 May 2005

Thai king sponsors pool for ailing pooches

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej is scheduled to officially open a dogs-only swimming pool to provide physical therapy for canines suffering from diseases such as arthritis, media reports said on Thursday.

The king donated 2,13-million baht ($53 000) towards the construction of the doggy pool at Bangkok’s Kasetsart University which will be officially opened on Friday, reported The Nation newspaper.

The royal donation came from earnings off T-shirt and polo shirt sales bearing the image of ”Tongdaeng,” the king’s favourite pooch who was the subject of a book penned by the king.

”The pool will serve for the physical rehabilitation of dogs suffering from arthritis and neurological diseases,” said Viroj Impitak, Kasetsart University president.

The pool comprises two zones, one for healthy pooches to exercise and a second for ailing canines. – Sapa-DPA