Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon did not show up at Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda's residence in a ceremony to mark the Songkran festival on Wednesday because he went overseas for a medical checkup, the Defence Ministry says.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, cabinet members and armed forces leaders attended the traditional rod nam dam hua (seeking a blessing from respected seniors) ceremony performed before Gen Prem at his Si Sao Thewes residence without Gen Prawit, who is also the defence minister.
Gen Prayut told Gen Prem, who asked why Gen Prawit did not attend, that the deputy premier had previously undergone coronary bypass surgery after a medical checkup revealed he suffered from coronary artery disease.
Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich said Gen Prawit has taken a leave of absence for a personal issue. It is not known what country the defence minister has gone to but he is scheduled to return on Sunday, he noted. It is understood he is taking a medical checkup and not having another bypass.
Lt Gen Kongcheep said Gen Prawit is scheduled to attend a meeting with his American counterpart in the US from April 21-26.
The event follows the meeting between Gen Prayut and US President Donald Trump at the White House in October last year. In the upcoming trip, representatives from the armed forces and security agencies will accompany Gen Prawit. According to sources, Gen Prawit is likely to open his house in Lat Phrao Soi 71 on Monday for a similar Songkran blessing ceremony.
