Samak loses battle with cancer

Obituary

Former prime minister Samak Sundaravej died of liver cancer at 8.48am on Tuesday at Bamrungrad Hospital, his younger brother Sumitr said.

Samak, 74, was the country’s 25th prime minister. As the leader of the since-disbanded People Power Party, he filled the positions of prime minister and defence minister from Jan 29, 2008 to Sept 9, 2008.

He was disqualified from the prime ministership when the Constitution Court found he breached the constitution by being an employee of a private firm while in office. Mr Samak was the popular host of a popular, politically oriented TV cooking programme Chim Pai, Bon Pai (Tasting While Grumbling) which many people thought was the epitome of the man himself.

Although the constitution allowed him to regain the prime minister's job if MPs voted him back into office, he instead chose to resign from the leadership of the People Power Party.

An independent and colourful character, the veteran politician was a former governor of Bangkok and founder of the Prachakorn Thai Party. He also held the offices of minister of the interior, minister of transport and deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister.

Samak sought treatment for liver cancer in November 2008 in Los Angeles and returned to Bangkok on January this year but made no public appearances from then on.

Samak was admitted to the intensive care unit of Bumrungrad Hospital on Monday. His relatives said he was was fully conscious and was able to talk with them.

Doctors said his health deteriorated rapidly and he died this morning.

A royally sponsored bathing rite for him will be held at the Benchama Bophit Temple, also known as the Marble Temple, this Wednesday.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva extended his condolences to the family and supporters of his former political rival.

"He was a politician who had played key roles for a long time and this is a great loss to Thai politics," he said

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, through his Twitter blog, said he and his family were deeply saddened by Samak's passing.

"Everything in the world is transient, as the Lord Buddha taught. However, Thai politicians don't think about this and they think about power and their personal interests when the principle of being a politician is to sacrifice," the message said.

Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, who succeeded Samak as prime minister, said Samak was a professional politician who had done many good things for the country.

"Samak was honest with the general public and had utmost loyalty to the institution of the  monarchy," Mr Somchai said.

Opposition Puea Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit said Samak was a good politician and a warrior who truly understood the democratic system.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama, who served in the Samak administration as foreign minister, said Samak was a strong leader who had a clear direction and was easy to work with.

"He spoke his mind and his stance did not waver with the changing situation. The country has lost a great politician," Mr Noppadon said.