A Karen tribesman, suffering life-threatening acute diarrhea, was airlifted by police helicopter from his cottage deep in the jungle of Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in Kanchanaburi to the Sangkhla Buri district hospital for emergency treatment on Friday.

Dr. Krisda Wutthiyakorn, director of Sangkhla Buri district hospital, and his medical staff were making preparations in Village 4, Tambon Laiwo, for the arrival of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha when they were informed of the emergency by the village head, Mr. Komsan Pitakchartkhiri.

Dr. Krisda and his team rushed to the patient’s cottage by car through the winding jungle roads.  He found the patient, identified as Mong Oui, 43, in a critical condition.

Taking the patient to hospital by car would take too long and could risk Mong Oui’s life, so the doctor asked Pol Lt-Col Warakorn Wittayabamrong, commander of the Border Patrol Police’s 134th company, for a helicopter to airlift him to the district hospital.

A helicopter with nurses on board took Mong Oui to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.

A medical staff member told the media that, thanks to the visit to the area by the Princess, a helicopter was available.