KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has left for Bangkok, Thailand, for a week-long private visit.

Accompanied by a team of five, including her daughter Usha Kiran, Bhandari left for the Thai capital on Monday morning.

The group, which also includes her personal assistant and security officer, boarded Nepal Airlines flight RA-401 at 11:38 AM.

Bhandari’s secretariat confirmed that this visit is purely personal. A member of her secretariat stated, “The former president has gone to Bangkok for personal matters. There is nothing to be suspicious about.”

The former president is scheduled to return in seven days.

According to the secretariat, Bhandari, who has been dealing with a hip problem, is in Bangkok for a regular check-up.

“She has previously traveled to Bangkok for treatment,” the secretariat member explained. “This visit is for a follow-up health check-up.”

It is common for Nepali leaders to travel to destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong for medical treatments.

There has also been recent speculation about Bhandari’s potential return to active politics with the UML, following her visits to Gandaki and Koshi earlier this year to gather public opinion.

While she was preparing to visit other provinces, her trip to Bangkok for medical treatment has now temporarily paused her political engagements.