Veteran Actor Falls Ill with Deteriorating Heart Balloon Stent, Leaking Heart Valve, and Kidney Disease; Facing High Medical Costs
Veteran Thai actor Wisit Yuttiyong, 84, is battling multiple serious health conditions including a deteriorating heart valve, kidney disease, and a failing heart stent, with medical costs between 500,000-800,000 baht beyond his insurance co
Veteran actor Wisit Yuttiyong has revealed his latest condition following illness caused by a deteriorating heart balloon stent, a leaking heart valve, and kidney disease, with mounting medical expenses. Fellow actors representing the Actors' Welfare Foundation have provided financial assistance.
Noi Nathani Ruedyiem presented the aid to veteran actor Wisit Yuttiyong on April 29, 2026. Photos shared on the Actors' Network Facebook page show the veteran actor receiving treatment, with actress Noi Nathani Sittisaman, executive director of the Actors' Welfare Foundation, presenting the financial aid to help cover his medical expenses.
Veteran actor Wisit Yuttiyong, familiar to audiences through his many film and television roles, fell ill due to a deteriorating heart balloon stent, a leaking heart valve, and kidney disease.
Wisit Yuttiyong has revealed details of his ongoing health struggles. "After the doctor diagnosed that my heart valve is leaking severely, we still don't know exactly where the leak is located. I need to undergo ultrasound or endoscopy, including swallowing an endoscope for a detailed examination of which part of the valve is leaking. Once we identify the location, I'll need another MRI," he explained.
"Hearing all these procedures, my body clearly isn't ready for them. And the medical expenses beyond insurance coverage—the doctor told me it would be 500,000 to 800,000 baht. Right now, my family can't afford it. Normally, a heart valve replacement should last ten years, but mine only lasted seven years before deteriorating rapidly, which has weakened my body."
At 84 years old, Wisit Yuttiyong faces difficult circumstances with high medical costs and limited mobility. "I've decided to continue treatment without surgery because I can't afford the expenses. This means I'll need to visit the hospital more frequently than usual. For now, I'm choosing medication-based treatment, and the doctor has scheduled another echocardiogram in three months, but I need checkups every month."
"Regarding my kidney disease, I need injections to stimulate red blood cell production. I have to pay for the injections myself. I have high white blood cells and low hemoglobin, so the doctor prescribed two injections per month. I've been managing my kidney disease conservatively and haven't agreed to dialysis yet. I'm paying for the injectable medication myself, and whenever I receive medicine, I have to go to a clinic near my home to get injected. The problem is my kidney function keeps fluctuating between stages 3-4 and 4-5, so I've already had 18 injections to stimulate red blood cell production."
"Now I'm struggling with high medical expenses. The taxi fare to the doctor each time is difficult to afford. I can't take the bus and then catch a taxi—it's too much. I'm 84 years old this year, and my wife is also elderly. Our life has become quite challenging."
