PM Pilots Urgent Organ Retrieval Mission

BANGKOK, Oct 1 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul flew an urgent medical mission on Tuesday, personally piloting a plane to retrieve organs from a donor in northeastern Loei province before returning to Parliament for the government policy debate.

The mission, part of his long-supported "Wings of the Heart" initiative, was activated after a critical request for rapid transport. Anutin, who also serves as Interior Minister, departed Parliament and flew two surgeons from Chulalongkorn University to Loei.

The organs—including the heart, liver, pancreas, two kidneys, and two eyes—were donated by the family of a 19-year-old male fatally injured in a local brawl, potentially saving up to seven lives. Anutin met the donor's parents, embracing them and calling the donation "a great act of merit-making."

Following the successful retrieval surgery, the Prime Minister immediately flew back to Bangkok.

Anutin defended his temporary departure from the debate, stating he had fully contributed to the morning session and could monitor the proceedings remotely. He affirmed his ability to manage the demands of the premiership while continuing the medical missions, which he said bring him "happiness." -819 (TNA)