‘I Am Scared’: Thai King’s Son Awaits Urgent Brain Surgery
‘I Am Scared’: Thai King’s Son Awaits Urgent Brain Surgery
BANGKOK, Sept. 23, 2026 — Dr Chakriwat “Than Aong” Vivacharawongse, the 43-year-old third son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is seeking to return to Thailand for urgent brain surgery as he says his health has deteriorated while receiving treatment in Malaysia.
Dr Chakriwat, a physician, has publicly said he has two large brain tumours and has been warned by several neurologists that delaying surgery could leave him bedridden or result in his death. In his latest update on Tuesday, he wrote: “My health current situation…… no operation yet, I am scared….”
He has said treatment in Malaysia has become increasingly difficult to afford as his savings run low. He has also said his US health insurance has ended, limiting his ability to seek treatment there.
Dr Chakriwat has expressed a preference to undergo surgery in Thailand, saying he believes Thai doctors have the expertise required and have successfully treated him in the past.
Long history of neurological illness
Dr Chakriwat has lived with neurofibromatosis type 2, now generally known as NF2-related schwannomatosis, since adolescence. The genetic disorder can cause tumours to develop along nerves, including around the brain and spinal cord.
Tumours associated with NF2 are not necessarily cancerous, but their size and location can cause serious neurological complications.
In a personal account published in 2015, Dr Chakriwat said he had undergone 10 open operations, as well as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife procedures. He also said in 2020 that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
More recently, he has described periods of severe physical impairment, including difficulty standing and loss of bladder and bowel control. Those specific symptoms have not been independently confirmed by a treating hospital.
No treating physician or hospital has publicly confirmed that his current tumours are malignant, nor have doctors publicly disclosed their precise size, location or the specific surgery being planned. Recent reports have likewise noted that no Thai hospital has publicly announced a surgical appointment.
Wants treatment in Thailand
Dr Chakriwat has recently displayed what he said was a newly issued Thai national identity card that was delivered to him in Malaysia.
However, it remains unclear whether a Thai hospital has formally agreed to receive him, which neurosurgical team would treat him or when an operation could take place.
It is also unclear whether he could safely travel to Thailand on a commercial flight or would require specialised medical transport.
There is currently no public evidence that he is legally barred from entering Thailand or faces an immigration restriction.
Brothers offer support
Dr Chakriwat’s brothers have also publicly expressed concern about his condition and offered support.
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse said their mother, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, was deeply worried and had attempted to identify leading doctors in the United States who might be able to assist.
The brothers previously said they had struggled to contact Dr Chakriwat and did not know precisely where he was or what medication and treatment he was receiving. It remains unclear whether direct contact has since been established.
No publicly documented intervention by the Royal Household concerning Dr Chakriwat’s current medical situation has been reported.
Urgent appeal for surgery
Dr Chakriwat’s latest statements have brought renewed attention to his longstanding neurological condition and his request to return to Thailand for treatment.
He says several neurologists have warned him about the risks of further delay, while his financial situation has made treatment overseas increasingly difficult.
For now, however, the timing and location of any surgery remain unconfirmed.
His latest public message captured the urgency of his situation: the operation had not yet taken place, and he said he was scared.
