Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva suffered a broken collarbone when he tripped and fell at his home in Watthana district yesterday morning.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva takes a rest at Ramathibodi Hospital before undergoing surgery for a broken collarbone yesterday afternoon. PORNPROM SATTRABHAYA
He was scheduled to undergo an operation yesterday afternoon, party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said.
The accident occurred as Mr Abhisit was leaving his house to attend a party to celebrate the 44th anniversary of the Channel 3 television station.
He was admitted to Ramathibodi Hospital and doctors said they planned to operate yesterday afternoon to set the fractured collarbone.
Mr Abhisit said he did not go to the doctor right away as he felt only minor pain.
However, the pain eventually became unbearable and an x-ray at the hospital confirmed his collarbone was broken.
Ramathibodi orthopedic surgeon Pornchai Moonpruek expected Mr Abhisit will spend two to three days in hospital before being discharged. He will need about a month to fully recover. Dr Pornchai said Mr Abhisit's condition is no cause for concern.
Despite Mr Abhisit's accident, the Democrat Party's annual assembly set for March 28 and 29 in Bangkok will go ahead, Mr Chavanond said.
He said if Mr Abhisit does not recover in time to chair the meeting himself, he will likely appoint one of his deputies to fill in for him.
Mr Abhisit was visited by Democrat key figures as well as the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee co-leader Chitpas Kridakorn before he went for the surgery.