Chakriwat "Than Aong" Vivacharawongse, 43, third son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, posted a video on Facebook on 21/9 stating he has two large brain tumors requiring urgent surgery.

Chakriwat reported experiencing seizures, weakness in his arms and legs, and neurological control loss. He stated he cannot afford surgery in Malaysia or the US, where he resides.

Chakriwat expressed a desire to return to Thailand for treatment, trusting the "highly competent" doctors in his home country.

Two days prior, he also posted photos and videos from the hospital, describing his health as "truly very bad." He mentioned that three to four specialists had predicted a risk of paralysis or death.

Chakriwat's siblings later issued a joint statement expressing concern about his condition. However, they also stated they did not know his whereabouts or treatment details, offering support if he re-established contact.

Chakriwat "Than Aong" Vivacharawongse shared an image of himself receiving treatment in the US on 6/9. *Photo: Thaiger*

Chakriwat is the third of four sons born to King Vajiralongkorn and Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, a former Thai actress.

Sujarinee had five children with the King when he was Crown Prince. They married in 1994 but divorced two years later. Sujarinee then moved to the US with her sons, while their daughter Sirivannavari Nariratana remained in Thailand.

All four of Sujarinee's sons have long had no contact with the royal family and do not use any titles. When Chakriwat was hospitalized in New York in 2020, the Daily Mail reported he received no support from his father.

In 8/2023, Chakriwat and his elder brother Vacharaesorn returned to Thailand for the first time in nearly three decades. Vacharaesorn then stated that despite the brief visit, the two brothers received "love and warmth" from everyone. Subsequently, the remaining two sons, Juthavachara and Vatchrawee, also attempted to return to Thailand but were denied entry at the border.

Chakriwat in a video posted on 21/9. *Photo: Thaiger*

Chakriwat has suffered from neurofibromatosis since age 13. This condition can cause tumors to grow along nerves and within the brain and spinal cord. Most tumors are benign, but their size and location can still pose serious medical risks if they compress the brain, spinal cord, or nerves.

According to Thai Enquirer, by 2015, Chakriwat had undergone 10 major surgeries and numerous stereotactic radiosurgery treatments. Public attention to his health condition resumed early this month.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 74, has not commented on Chakriwat's health. He has a total of 7 children, but his four sons with Sujarinee are not in the line of succession.

Following the death of elder Princess Bajrakitiyabha in 6/2026 at age 47 after more than three years in a coma, the two remaining potential successors to the throne are Princess Sirivannavari, Chakriwat's full sister, and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, 21, the King's son with his third wife, Srirasmi Suwadee.

By Thanh Danh (According to SCMP, Bangkok Post, Thaiger)