Dr. Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, the estranged son of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is seeking help to return to Thailand for urgent brain surgery. The 43-year-old doctor, who is currently receiving treatment in Malaysia, posted a video on Facebook stating he requires surgery for brain tumors and that Thai doctors are well-equipped to provide the necessary care. He mentioned he cannot afford treatment in the U.S. or Malaysia and fears he may not survive without timely medical intervention. Dr. Chakriwat has been living with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to grow along nerves and in the brain and spinal cord. These tumors can lead to serious health issues if they press on critical areas of the brain or nerves. He has undergone multiple surgeries and radiation treatments, including Gamma Knife and CyberKnife procedures, since he was 13. By 2015, he had already had 10 operations to manage the condition. Dr. Chakriwat has asked the public not to solicit donations in his name without his approval. While his brothers have offered support, the Thai royal household has not been involved in his case. It remains unclear whether legal or health-related issues are preventing him from returning to Thailand without assistance. His situation has drawn attention to the complex relationship between the royal family and its estranged members. Dr. Chakriwat is one of four sons born to King Vajiralongkorn and his second wife, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, a former actress. The family separated in 1996, and Sujarinee moved to the U.S. with their children. Their youngest daughter was later taken back by the royal family and given a royal title, but the four sons have remained estranged and do not hold formal royal positions. King Vajiralongkorn, who has married four times and has seven children, has not publicly named an heir. In recent months, Dr. Chakriwat has shared updates about his declining health. On September 6, he said he was unwell but determined to recover. By September 18, he warned that his condition had worsened significantly, stating he was at risk of becoming bedridden or facing death and needed urgent surgery. Earlier this year, Dr. Chakriwat and his brother made their first return to Thailand in 27 years. This visit occurred shortly after Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest child of the king, passed away after a long coma. The Independent has contacted Thailand’s foreign ministry for a response.