Gen Khattiya in critical condition; doctors worried about brain edema

BANGKOK, May 14 (TNA) — Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, a hardliner in the anti-government Red Shirt movement, remains in critical condition with edema and blood clotting problems after undergoing brain surgery, Vajira Hospital director Chaiwan Charoenchokethawee said late Friday.

Dr Chaiwan reported that the overall condition of Army Specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya, also known as Seh Daeng, remains critical with brain edema, which may lead to death. He is on mechanical breathing assistance.The medical team will keep monitoring his brain condition for at least seven days.

As the brain edema causes high-blood pressure, the doctors stopped giving medication to stimulate the patient’s blood pressure.

Another concern is his blood-clotting level, which is higher than the normal range, so the doctors give him medication to make the level return to normal.

In another development, Dr Chaiwan explained that the medical team has not yet evaluated the damage done to his brain as the treatment now focused on saving his life.

Asked whether or not the surgeons will perform a second operation, the hospital chief said that an operation is possible if the brain edema is not alleviated.

Gen Khattiya aka Seh Daeng was shot Thursday evening while being interviewed by foreign reporters close to the barricade of the Red Shirts’ rally site near Silom area.

After being felled by the bullet, he was taken to Hua Chiew Hospital, then transferred to Vajira Hospital.

Although Gen Khattiya was not a key leader of the Red Shirts, he has close connections with ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and was always surrounded by knots of fans seeking his autograph and photos during his walks through the rally site.

The army specialist has made it clear that he totally disagrees with the five-point national reconciliation road map, proposed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on May 3. (TNA)