After the veteran luk thung singer Sunaree Ratchasima experienced severe abdominal pain and was admitted to Kasemrad International Hospital Rattanathibet, doctors found severe intestinal inflammation caused by eating very spicy food and a 3 cm mass obstructing the bowel, narrowing the passage and making stool difficult to pass. She normally has constipation issues. The tissue was sent for biopsy to check for malignancy. Thairath Entertainment recently visited the singer at the hospital to inquire about her condition.
Update on your condition?
Sunaree: The condition is improving. The doctor said there is one mass — just one — blocking the large intestine, leaving only a small opening about the size of a straw, which makes passing stool difficult. This caused me constipation for about three weeks before symptoms worsened.
Did you not have any bowel movements for three weeks?
Sunaree: No, I did, but it felt incomplete. I couldn’t push it out fully.
Are you on medication now?
Sunaree: Yes, the doctor gave me various medicines. The mass is shrinking, and the inflammation is reducing. Initially small, the swelling had grown larger, but now I feel much better.
When will you be discharged?
Sunaree: I plan to leave tomorrow after completing the medication. The biopsy results should be available before discharge. It likely isn’t cancer, hopefully not malignant. I’m most afraid of cancer... But if it is, I will take care of myself. What worries me more is not being able to eat many of my favorite foods (laughs), like fermented fish.
So your main worry is not being able to eat fermented fish?
Sunaree: (Laughs) Yes, that worries me the most. But I definitely need to reduce spicy food. I want to remind everyone to watch their symptoms, especially if you have symptoms like mine, such as constipation or bloating. It’s best to get a colonoscopy. It’s the best option because the doctor can also clean your bowel during the procedure.
Has that mass been growing for a while or was it just recently discovered?
Sunaree: Actually, I had a CT scan at Siriraj Hospital during a major health check five years ago. They found that small polyp in my large intestine, but it was very small. I get ultrasounds every year during health checks and it hasn’t grown, so I left it alone.
Sometimes small polyps are normal, like cysts in breasts that can disappear on their own. You’ve been monitoring it yearly. But now you think it’s related to inflammation because?
Sunaree: In recent months, I drank very little water. At work, I barely finished one bottle of water provided. I’ve always been a low water drinker, but in the month before this happened, it was the lowest ever. Combined with eating spicy food, lack of rest, and sitting for long periods, it affected me. Sitting still slows bowel movement. I also drive long distances, 400-500 km, and tend to hold in stool and urine.
Do you avoid using inconvenient restrooms?
Sunaree: All those things affect it. But now I’m strong, so don’t worry everyone. Thank you for all your support. Being sick shows me how many people love me.
Have you ever been hospitalized before?
Sunaree: Only once, 35 years ago, the year my sister Phueng (Phumphuang Duangchan) passed away — in 1992 CE. I had major surgery to remove the right ovary. I was 25 then and kept track carefully.
Do you get regular health checkups?
Sunaree: Yes, every year. Cervical and uterine cancer screenings, blood tests, everything. I don’t take any regular medications. I’ve been quite healthy. This illness came from careless eating habits, even though I eat vegetables.
What is the diagnosis?
Sunaree: Intestinal obstruction caused by severe intestinal inflammation leading to ischemia (lack of blood supply) in the large intestine, near the mass where swelling occurred.
Believe it or not, when you’re constipated, taking laxatives doesn’t help because hard stool gets stuck, twisting inside and making it painful and hard to pass. Straining is dangerous; there have been cases where excessive straining caused death due to shock. I’m afraid to strain that much, so I decided to come to the hospital. The pain was intense, like food poisoning cramps — sharp, wave-like abdominal spasms.
But Arpaporn Nakhonsawan warned you not to offend spirits?
Sunaree: It happened before the illness, secretly between two people. The truth came out while I was sick. The event organizer canceled that event, but mine did not. It’s funny how things come up (laughs).
You’re leaving soon?
Sunaree: Two more days. I’ve been resting since 24 July 2023.
Any message to fans?
Sunaree: Thank you everyone for your concern — fans, friends commenting on my page, colleagues in the industry, my children and grandchildren. I can’t name you all but thank you so much for the gifts, flowers, and well wishes. Thank you for all your comments and support, whether you visited or not.
It’s okay if some didn’t visit; just your kind comments mean a lot. Thank you all. Don’t worry, I’m strong.
Are you currently symptom-free?
Sunaree: The pain is gone. I just need to finish the medicine tomorrow and then go back to careful living—not normal (laughs). I’m reducing spicy food and focusing on healthy eating. I used to eat more spice than most people could handle.
Even though I eat vegetables and homegrown natural foods, many factors combined caused this. Thank you all for your concern.
Don’t forget to check yourself and don’t be careless. It’s really scary — a silent threat. Sometimes we think it’s just simple stomach pain but inside, it could be serious. I’m lucky to be near a hospital, just a short trip from home. Thanks for all the support.
Your only worry is not eating fermented fish?
Sunaree: Of course. (Are you avoiding it now?) Yes, I’m avoiding it for now.
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