Thai king's estranged son seeks permission to return for critical brain surgery

Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, a doctor and the estranged son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, appealed for help to travel back to Thailand for life-saving brain surgery. He is currently receiving medical care in Malaysia but lacks the funds for the procedure, which is required for tumors caused by neurofibromatosis type 2. He cautioned that without the operation he faces the risk of permanent disability or death.

Public pleas have been made and his brothers have expressed support, yet the royal household has not intervened. Since being cut off from the monarchy in 1996, he holds no official royal title, although he and a brother made a brief return to Thailand in August 2023 after 27 years.