An army general who sat in the National Legislative Assembly and was a member of the Meechai Ruchupan-led Constitution Drafting Committee, Niwat Sripen, died on Sunday from liver cancer. He was 61.
Gen Niwat Sripen
Gen Niwat was pronounced dead at Gen Phramongkutklao Hospital at 4.20pm. The former director-general of the Judge Advocate General's Department had been treated at home and hospitals in the past few months.
On Aug 19, he suffered chest pain and passed out while attending a budget meeting at Parliament Building 3. He was given oxygen and rushed to hospital where he had been treated ever since.
Gen Niwat is recognised for his hard work, honesty and austerity. He joined the CDC-organised forums in several provinces to present the draft charter’s contents to the people even after he had been diagnosed with liver cancer. The law expert is known among his colleagues for going to and from work at parliament by BTS train and public bus every day.
A royal-sponsored bathing rite will be held at Wat That Thong at 5pm on Monday. The chanting ceremony will be held from Monday until Friday.