Former Thai PM Samak Sundaravej dies
Former Thai prime minister Samak Sundaravej reportedly died Tuesday morning of liver cancer, at the age of 74.
Samak famously led the now-banned People's Power Party to victory in December of 2007 -- the first elections held since a military coup ousted his ally Thaksin Shinawatra a year earlier -- only to be kicked out of office in 2008 for appearing in television cooking shows.
The Nation is continuously updating its website with details on funeral arrangements and reaction from prominent Thai figures and CNN.com is among the international media covering the news. Well-known blogs Bangkok Pundit and Absolutely Bangkok have both added posts noting his death, while Twitter and forums like Thaivisa.com are already full of condolences and comments about Thailand’s controversial 25th prime minister.
Most famous among these is Thaksin, who took to his Twitter account to send condolence's to Samak's family in Thai, saying he was sorry that he could not attend the funeral rites.
Here are a few other comments made Thursday morning:
“RIP Samak. You were... entertaining.”
-- Twitter user Teah
“He had done good and not so good things for us. Once a Thai living legend, rest in peace, uncle. My condolences to his family.”
-- Thaivisa.com member Asa
“I didn't like the man personally, and I despised his opportunist politics, but I do think he was colorful and respect that he didn't censor himself (albeit sometimes to his own detriment). I do send my condolences to his family, for this sad time. May he have his own cooking show in the great beyond, and may it never be canceled.”
-- Thaivisa.com member Lawn Gnome
“Samak Sundaravej is dead. Remember meeting him by accident at Heathrow
years ago. Recognized him immediately. Spoke to him a bit. Friendly.”
-- Twitter user Terryfrd
"I hated his political views and actions but on a personal level he was often caring, he would talk to everyone from the manager to the cleaner when he visited a company, pointing out the effects of a new road or project on their lives. He had the time of day for everyone."
-- Thaivisa.com member Siripon
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