Published on June 24, 2005

Following brain surgery on Wednesday, the Burapha University cheerleader initially believed brain dead after a fall on Saturday, is in a satisfactory condition, doctors said.

Though still unconscious, Supatra Maha-udom has responded to skin contact and the swelling of her brain has decreased, said Dr Kanisorn Anunsakul, a surgeon at Chon Buri Hospital, where the 17-year-old freshman from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, is being treated.

The doctor said the outcome of the operation could not be predicted and that her condition would be monitored and assessed on a day-to-day basis. He compared Supatra's condition to a tree burned by fire saying, “Her recovery depends on how much damage she sustained.”

Regional police chief Lt-General Jongrak Juthanond said the investigation into the accident would take about a month. He expressed sympathy for the other members of the cheerleading team but said that officers were obliged to investigate.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sent a personal get-well card to the Maha-udom family.

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