Chartthaipattana advisory chairman Sanan Kachornprasart died of circulatory and respiratory failures yesterday, a statement released by Siriraj Hospital said.
Sanan: Would-be coup-maker in 1977
The 77-year-old veteran politician was admitted to Siriraj Hospital on Nov 22 for treatment of emphysema. He was put on life support and received medication to prevent infection, the hospital said.
Yesterday, Maj Gen Sanan developed an acute blood infection which caused his circulatory and respiratory systems to fail, leading to his death at 5.09pm.
Maj Gen Sanan, from Phichit province, was a cavalry officer and was holding the rank of lieutenant colonel when he was expelled from the forces in March 1977 for his role in the unsuccessful coup bid against the Thanin Kraivixian government.
He was jailed for treason but was granted an amnesty in less than a year.
Maj Gen Sanan later entered politics and served as interior minister, industry minister and agriculture minister. He was also royally bestowed the rank of major general during the Chatichai Choonhavan administration.
He had been accused of falsely declaring his assets to the National Anti-Corruption Commission by claiming he owed 45 million baht to AAS Auto Service Co Ltd. However, the commission determined he had not borrowed the money. On Aug 10, 2000, the Constitution Court ruled that Maj Gen Sanan had falsely declared his assets and banned him from politics for five years. After the ban, Maj Gen Sanan resigned as secretary-general of the Democrat Party.
Later, he made his comeback by forming the Mahachon Party to run in the 2005 election before joining Chartthaipattana in 2007.
Maj Gen Sanan ran the country's biggest ostrich farm and owned a vineyard which produces the famed Chateau de Chalawan wine.
He is survived by his wife, Chaweewan, and their four children, including Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart.