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Thai King's Son Seeks Permission to Return Home for Brain Surgery

Dr. Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, an estranged son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has appealed to return to Thailand from Malaysia for emergency treatment of two large brain tumors. The medical situation underscores ongoing tensions within the Thai royal family.

LSN Vietnam · 23 September 2026

Thai King's Son Seeks Permission to Return Home for Brain Surgery

Dr. Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, the third son of Thailand's reigning monarch King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has made a public appeal to return home for urgent neurosurgical intervention. According to reports, the doctor faces two significant brain tumors requiring emergency medical attention.

The appeal marks a notable development in the long-standing estrangement between Dr. Chakriwat and the Thai royal household. The physician has been residing in Malaysia, where he has maintained distance from Thailand amid the family rift.

Details regarding the specific timeline for potential surgery or the Thai government's response to the request remain unclear. The case highlights the complex dynamics within Thailand's royal family, where personal health crises sometimes intersect with broader family divisions.

Dr. Chakriwat's medical situation comes amid broader scrutiny of the Thai monarchy, which has faced increasing public discussion in recent years regarding its role and conduct within Thai society.