Ex-Soapy King Chuwit Kamolvisit in Palliative Care Abroad

[webfact]

 

Chuwit Kamolvisit, a well-known figure in both business and politics, is currently receiving palliative care for terminal liver cancer in the UK. This update was shared by Nipit Intharasombat, a former Member of Parliament for Phatthalung, who has been in contact with Chuwit via the messaging app LINE. 

 

Nipit shared the news publicly on Facebook, aiming to clear up any rumours and address concerns from those following Chuwit's condition.

 

He noted that Chuwit is aware of his bleak prognosis but is striving to make the most of his remaining time. Nipit’s message included words from Chuwit, who seemed to be in good spirits, advising Nipit on the hardships of continuing a political career.

 

Chuwit, who has been undergoing treatment in the UK since late last year, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and has been given less than eight months to live. His daughter, Tak Takarn Kamolvisit, previously posted a photo with him on social media, which momentarily quelled some of the rampant speculation about his health.

 

The news has elicited a wave of public sympathy and support. Chuwit, originally known as the “soapy king” due to his ownership of several high-end massage parlours, later transitioned to a political career, where he earned a reputation for his outspoken and controversial views.

 

In related news, Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has tested positive for Covid-19. According to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke, the prime minister noticed symptoms and consulted a doctor last Friday.

 

The results confirmed the infection, and medical advice has been given for him to rest until no longer contagious, with further monitoring planned.

 

These two significant updates highlight ongoing challenges faced by both individuals in dealing with serious health issues, reflecting the personal hurdles that can impact public figures.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-06-18

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

The news has elicited a wave of public sympathy and support. Chuwit, originally known as the “soapy king” due to his ownership of several high-end massage parlours, later transitioned to a political career, where he earned a reputation for his outspoken and controversial views.

 

He bribed a lot of officials, and later he fought against many corrupt officials. I wish he would have more time to expose more of the corrupt.

Years ago, Chuwit was sentenced to jail in Thailand, and he didn't flee the country, and he spent (I think years) in jail in Thailand. And then he came out of jail again and exposed more of the bad guys. I wish more influential people would accept the consequences of what they did and learn from it.

 

I hope he will have peace and not too much pain in his remaining time on earth. 

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wish more influential people would accept the consequences of what they did and learn from it

 

Cowards doesn't learn.

[hotchilli]

He did brighten up the days with his revelations about certain people who didn't appreciate his honesty

[WHansen]

20 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

He did brighten up the days with his revelations about certain people who didn't appreciate his honesty

He certainly kicked a few hornets nests before he became too sick.

[Classic Ray]

22 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

He did brighten up the days with his revelations about certain people who didn't appreciate his honesty

Maybe he will spend some of his last days recording what else he knows about public figures in Thailand.

[hotchilli]

Just now, Classic Ray said:

Maybe he will spend some of his last days recording what else he knows about public figures in Thailand.

Shame he didn't get to write his memoirs to be published upon his departure.

A final parting gift.

[george]

25 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Shame he didn't get to write his memoirs to be published upon his departure.

A final parting gift.

 

He may have done.

[Tropicalevo]

Goodbye sir.

An interesting and very 'varied' life lived to the full.

May your final journey be a peaceful one.

[roo860]

Legend 🙏🙏🙏

I'll always remember many years ago when he canvassing to become Bangkok Governor, posters of himself with a sledge hammer smashing the establishment. 

[JoePai]

Does he not trust the Thai medical system ?

[Thingamabob]

A lot to like about Chuwit. All the very best to him at such a tough time.

[TheFishman1]

Yeah, I like reading it when he was exposed certain politicians or different police that were totally corrupt. I wish he would stay around a long time his knowledge of politics and corruption in this country. I feel was just outstanding. I wish him all the best. TIT.

[connda]

Ex-Soapy King Chuwit Kamolvisit in Palliative Care Abroad

 

Why?  Because there is no such thing as "Palliative Care" here in Thailand. 

[steven100]

at least he had the guts to stand up and name a few of the thai corrupt low-lifes.  he wasn't afraid of them in the least.  

[Mr Meeseeks]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

He bribed a lot of officials, and later he fought against many corrupt officials. I wish he would have more time to expose more of the corrupt.

Years ago, Chuwit was sentenced to jail in Thailand, and he didn't flee the country, and he spent (I think years) in jail in Thailand. And then he came out of jail again and exposed more of the bad guys. I wish more influential people would accept the consequences of what they did and learn from it.

 

I hope he will have peace and not too much pain in his remaining time on earth. 

 

In his day, he was a corrupt pimp.

 

His demolition of the Soi 10 bar area without warning cost many hundreds of people, both Thai and foreign, their livelihoods. 

 

His anti-corruption campaigns and exposés were about self-preservation rather than 'doing the right thing'.

[John Drake]

Since he left for abroad, the triads have run quietly undisturbed.

[Mr Meeseeks]

8 minutes ago, steven100 said:

at least he had the guts to stand up and name a few of the thai corrupt low-lifes.  he wasn't afraid of them in the least.  

 

He started naming names to protect himself. 

 

A grenade was thrown into the reception of his Davis Hotel on Soi 24 iirc. More of a threat than an actual assassination attempt. 

 

Odd romanticism and revisionist history on this thread about him, though.  

[mokwit]

Just now, connda said:

Ex-Soapy King Chuwit Kamolvisit in Palliative Care Abroad

 

Why?  Because there is no such thing as "Palliative Care" here in Thailand. 

Apparently it is not a mainstream thing here. There are one or two specialists but your palliative care is your family. It is much more developed overseas and with liver cancer you may need all the palliative care you can get. There is apparently now a drug that can stop the itching from Bilirubin build up.

 

Maybe Sheryl can weigh in on this.

[connda]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

These two significant updates highlight ongoing challenges faced by both individuals in dealing with serious health issues, reflecting the personal hurdles that can impact public figures.

 

Equating Chuwit's terminal cancer diagnosis with Srettha's covid is simply egregious.

Chuwit is looking at about a 99.99% chance at suffering painful and debilitating months of suffering prior to dying.
Srettha is looking at about 99.99% chance at suffering a few uncomfortable days of rest and then recovery. 

The comparison completely discounts the seriousness and horror that faces Chuwit.  This would have been an opportune time to review, analyze, and discuss the differences in palliative care between Thailand and Western nations like the UK and ask some difficult questions such as, "Why does Thailand's health authorities turn their backs on the suffering of terminally ill Thais dying of cancer?"  Why do you think Chuwit opted to live out his days in the UK in Western palliative care facilities and eventually ending his life in a hospice.  Oh - and Thailand has no hospices either.  None, zero, nada!

Chuwit will be well cared for.  It may be his karma to contract cancer, but it's also his karma not to suffering his end in Thailand and instead to have the financial means to end his days with palliative care that is beyond the means of most people in Thailand with similar terminal conditions.

Anyway, the guy's a character and one who will not soon be forgotten.  Prayers   🙏🙏🙏

[connda]

54 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Apparently it is not a mainstream thing here. There are one or two specialists but your palliative care is your family. It is much more developed overseas and with liver cancer you may need all the palliative care you can get. There is apparently now a drug that can stop the itching from Bilirubin build up.

 

Maybe Sheryl can weigh in on this.

I've known quite a few people who have died of cancer in our village.  They are basically sent home with a bottle of acetaminophen/paracetamol and a hearty "good luck, sucks to be you."  Yes, the family cares for them but they don't have access to opiates unless they check into a hospital, and they pretty much can't be checked into a hospital unless they are on the verge of death.  So they suffer in agony at home.  It's egregious and unconscionable.
The attitude of Thai doctors and legislators:  "We give you opiates for your terminal cancer, you become addict.  Addicts are bad people, so we make sure you not bad person, so no opiates for you.   And you probably sell opiates we give you to Thai kids too because you addict and bad person.  Must protect Thai kids from bad addicts."
These heartless freaks actually think this way as well as discounting a person's terminal agony to "their karma."
And the last I heard from Sheryl Thailand ended prescribing fentanyl patches for home use - so now it's "Tylenol" and "good luck, sucks to be you." So there are no options for pain relief at home other than suffering or "checking out" on your own. 

My wife knows an old Thai women who is looking into ending her life in Switzerland at a euthanasia clinic.  $10K and goodbye.  And she know she has to do it while she can still board an airplane under her own power.  That sucks to have to contemplate euthanasia because there is literally no palliative care or hospices in your country where people profess to be "Compassionate Buddhist."  "Compassionate" is doing everything in your power to mitigate pain from a terminal illness. It's a needless horror and the epitome of uncompassionate thinking and behavior on the part of health authorities and "experts." And as for wealthy MPs and other in government?  If they come down with terminal cancer?  Off to the US or the UK for palliative and hospice care.  For the rest of Thailand?  "Sucks to be you commoner Thais dying of cancer - here's a bottle of paracetamol, good luck."

[mokwit]

Just now, connda said:

she know she has to do it while she can still board an airplane under her own power.

She has to do it while she can still fill in all the paperwork required. Apparently there is a lot, it's not just rock up and get your Pentobarbital.

[mokwit]

Just now, connda said:

The attitude of Thai doctors and legislators:  "We give you opiates for your terminal cancer, you become addict.  Addicts are bad people, so we make sure you not bad person, so no opiates for you.   And you probably sell opiates we give you to Thai kids too because you addict and bad person.  Must protect Thai kids from bad addicts."

I see it as more the Thai "Zero tolerance"/no tradeoffs - it is better that people have restricted access to opiates, than somebody be able sell their supply on the black market, better that visa applications be onerous rather than somebody who isn't qualified get one - most places it is a trade off between ease of access for legitimate applicants vs number of fraudulent applications let through.

 

In fairness I was given a morphine self dispenser after surgery and offered morphine after another. I am also asked "any pain" on visits - so far none and I plan to be back in the UK and take my chances with the NHS ahead of that.

[connda]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Chuwit Kamolvisit, a well-known figure in both business and politics, is currently receiving palliative care for terminal liver cancer in the UK.

13 minutes ago, connda said:

I've known quite a few people who have died of cancer in our village.  They are basically sent home with a bottle of acetaminophen/paracetamol and a hearty "good luck, sucks to be you." 

 

And for the commoner-classes in Thailand unlucky enough to be dying of terminal liver cancer? 

"No paracetamol for you commoner - it bad for liver.  Good luck, sucks to be you!"

[Sandboxer]

Overseas....maybe trying for a last resort transplant? More potential compatible donors than in LoS......

[natway09]

Had the pleasure of enjoying his product (yea, been here for awhile).

He was a character for all his foibles.

May he have a painless & peaceful end.

The end of an era

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

12 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

He bribed a lot of officials, and later he fought against many corrupt officials. I wish he would have more time to expose more of the corrupt.

Years ago, Chuwit was sentenced to jail in Thailand, and he didn't flee the country, and he spent (I think years) in jail in Thailand. And then he came out of jail again and exposed more of the bad guys. I wish more influential people would accept the consequences of what they did and learn from it.

 

I hope he will have peace and not too much pain in his remaining time on earth. 

Actually didn't he flee Thailand for 6 months right after he bulldozed the soi 10 beer gardens in the middle of the night, beating up all the security guards and ransacking everyones business without notice? To protect himself he then started giving up names of cops on the take. I do not wish cancer on anyone, I lost both of my parents to it when I was young as well as many other dear friends and family since then, but this guy was no sweet heart. In my books he is a rat and a scumbag that screwed over far too many people to count. I will shed no tears for him.

[OneMoreFarang]

25 minutes ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

Actually didn't he flee Thailand for 6 months right after he bulldozed the soi 10 beer gardens in the middle of the night, beating up all the security guards and ransacking everyones business without notice?

I remember that morning. I looked out of my window and thought: Somehow this looks different over there. And then another look: Oh, all those bars are gone. And a big wall around it. Amazing.

As far as I know nobody was hurt that night. People closed their bars and then the bulldozers came and then the bars were gone. 

 

One thing I learned from that: Thais can be well organized - even if they are not most of the time. That procedure, in the middle of the night, starting maybe 2am and finished before 7am including a concrete wall around it was amazing.

 

[expat_4_life]

9 hours ago, connda said:

The guy's a character and one who will not soon be forgotten.  Prayers   🙏🙏🙏

I agree.  I remember him in somewhat fond terms myself. Sure he was a scoundrel but simultaneously a colorful figure and a fighter.  I recall 2 of his election posters, fighting corruption was one of his campaign themes.  Thus the binoculars and sledgehammer elections posters.

[MalcolmB]

10 hours ago, connda said:

Why?  Because there is no such thing as "Palliative Care" here in Thailand.

Good palliative care in the UK because the Brit families are “too busy” to look after their parents so they just shove them in a hospital to die alone.