PM admits Prawit has fallen ill

PM admits Prawit has fallen ill

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (left) has admitted the rumours are correct: his top deputy PM, old military friend and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has been ill for several days. (Bangkok Post file photo)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (left) has admitted the rumours are correct: his top deputy PM, old military friend and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has been ill for several days. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha admitted Tuesday he has not seen his deputy Prawit Wongsuwon for several days and that Gen Prawit is ill.

The premier said Gen Prawit, at 72, has fallen sick but "that is usual for a person in his 70s".

Despite no face-to-face meetings with Gen Prawit, Gen Prayut said, "We talk by phone every day."

The deputy prime minister also oversees national security and, following a series of bomb blasts in Bangkok, investigating the motives behind these attacks is an urgent task for him.

Gen Prawit started wearing a medical mask on May 5 but still has not explained his illness. (Photo by Wassana Nannuam)

Concerns over Gen Prawit's health have intensified as he did not attend meetings of the cabinet and National Council for Peace and Order Tuesday though security authorities were being kept busy after the latest blast at army-owned Phramongkutklao Hospital in the capital.

The explosion near the dispensary waiting room, known as the Wongsuwon room, injured 25 people and occurred on Monday, the third anniversary of the coup in 2014.

It is currently unclear what treatment Gen Prawit is receiving for his illness and how long he needs to recover.

One report said he had a heart operation, but the rumour was quickly denied by Gen Prawit who gave a brief phone interview, saying, "There's no operation. I'm strong and not seriously ill."

His close aide, who asked for not to be named, said his boss is recuperating.

The recovery period may be "longer than for younger people", added the source. "It may last for two weeks, a month or ever longer."

Despite admitting his deputy prime minister had fallen ill, Gen Prayut declined to elaborate on his condition.

The premier said to reporters: "Can't he [Gen Prawit] ask for sick leave?"

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