PM being treated for hand inflammation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is being treated for severe inflammation of his right hand and his doctor advised him to take a break, a source close to him said on Saturday.

General Prayut received treatment at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok after the inflammation worsened following a visit to Ayutthaya province on Friday.

An initial examination by his personal doctor found that his right hand was inflamed. He was advised to get a thorough checkup at the hospital the next morning.

Prayut went to the hospital with his wife Naraporn.

He was prescribed antibiotics, advised him to take a break, and told to avoid using his right hand, the source said.

Prayut has not cancelled any planned visits to provinces over the next two weeks, but he may consider some revisions to his schedule, the source said.

Prayut is expected to be the sole prime ministerial candidate of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart (United Thai Nation) Party in the next general election.

He has travelled to many places across the country on official trips and the campaign trail in recent weeks. He has campaigned with other key figures of the one-year-old party in many provinces, including Chumphon and Nakhon Ratchasima.

The PM hinted recently that he would dissolve the House of Representatives before its four-year term ends on March 23 so that the next election could be held on May 7 in accord with the tentative schedule of the Election Commission. Political observers expect the House to be dissolved in the middle of this month.