April 1, 2008
BANGKOK - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will not attend his weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday and has cancelled other official functions after falling ill during a regional summit in Laos, a spokesman said.
Samak became sick Monday after visiting a fresh market in Vientiane, where he attended the GMS summit, government spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat said.
"A doctor has visited him, and he's resting at his residence. I hope that he gets better soon," Wichianchot said.
Samak was ill because he ate the minced fermented fish during his visit to Vientiane.
It was reported he felt better after getting the saline solution.
Samak, 72, also cancelled an audience with Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the eve of her birthday.
But the spokesman insisted Samak would be back on the job Wednesday, when he is scheduled to officially launch a "war on drugs" campaign.
Samak planned to go ahead with his plans to visit the Philippines and Brunei this weekend, the spokesman added.
