PM Paetongtarn’s health scare disrupts Nakhon Phanom visit (2025)

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Nakhon Phanom province took an unexpected turn yesterday as she battled a high fever and fatigue, forcing her to cancel several key activities.

The premier, who appeared visibly unwell, was seen struggling to stay focused during a briefing about cross-border drug issues along the Mekong River.

Despite her efforts to push through, Paetongtarn’s condition quickly worsened.

“I’m still feeling quite fatigued,” she told reporters, her pale face betraying the severity of her symptoms.

A nurse accompanying her noticed her deteriorating health and provided her with electrolytes, medication, and a herbal inhaler in an attempt to stabilise her.

As her condition did not improve, medical staff took action, checking her pulse and blood pressure while administering preliminary medical care. Realising she was not fit to continue, the 38 year old Thai PM delegated her duties to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, asking him to chair the meeting in her place. Paetongtarn was seen walking with the support of her staff, clearly struggling but determined to remain active.

When questioned by the press, she expressed that she felt slightly better, although her fever had returned. This health scare comes just days after Paetongtarn was admitted to the hospital following a two-day trip to Phnom Penh, where she also suffered from a high fever. She was discharged the next day but appeared far from fully recovered during her visit to Nakhon Phanom.

Despite her ill health, the prime minister later attended the Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession ceremony in the evening, raising questions about her ability to continue with upcoming engagements. Tomorrow, she is scheduled to chair a mobile Cabinet meeting in the province, but with her condition still uncertain, it remains to be seen if she will be fit for the demanding schedule, reported Thai PBS World.

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