PM Prayut recovering after hand surgery
Many people have opinions about Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, but one thing almost everyone can agree on: he is great with his hand gestures. Iconic photos have graced The Thaiger and other news sources capturing his broad waves, his hands pressed together in a “wai” position, pointing, awkward “I love you” hand gestures, and perhaps most famously, his shushing gestures.
But today, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his famous hands are recovering after a minor surgical procedure on his right hand. The PM is set to return home tomorrow following a successful operation to remove a lymph node from his swollen right hand.
He was admitted to the hospital yesterday after his doctor advised him to get checked out following a trip to Ayutthaya province. He returned on Friday and went to the hospital the next day.
The surgery was performed by doctors at Phramongkutklao Hospital. According to the hospital’s director, Maj-Gen Dr Thamrongroj Temudom, the prime minister’s condition has improved since the surgery.
Initially, doctors prescribed antibiotics to treat Prayut’s swollen hand, but they were not effective. An MRI scan revealed the problematic lymph node in the right hand. Dr Thamrongroj stated that the prime minister was advised to rest his right hand for a while to recover. The lymph node was sent for lab tests.
Dr Thamrongroj also stated that the prime minister was not suffering from pseudogout, formally named calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD). This is a form of arthritis that can be evidenced by swelling in the joints that comes on suddenly and can be painful.
Prime Minister Prayut’s hand and overall condition are expected to continue to improve as he recuperates. The prime minister took time to express his gratitude to the media and to thank the public for their concern for his well-being.
