The widow of fallen protester Prakong Chujan has spoken about her husband's passion for the anti-government cause and how he was devoted to being at the forefront of the fight.
DIED FOR HIS DEVOTION: Prakong Chujan, left, was keen to join the Bangkok protest. Right, his sister and nephew in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
"He loved politics enormously, fought for what is right and admired Lung Kamnan [protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban]," Thipyao Chujan said.Prakong, 46, went on a protest march along Banthat Thong Road on Friday when a grenade was thrown at the group, injuring him and 35 others.
Shrapnel pierced his right chest, severing an artery and rupturing his lung.
Critically wounded, he was rushed to Ramathibodi Hospital.
He died about 1.50am yesterday from massive loss of blood and complications from kidney failure.
Ms Thipyao said her husband had a deep interest in politics and had joined the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy protests in the past.
A native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prakong opened a sewing shop in Phuket 20 years ago and Ms Thipyao helped run the business. They have three children.
With his friends, he had made four trips to Bangkok to be part of the anti-government protest movement.
"Now that he's gone, I don't know what to think," Ms Thipyao said.
Funeral rites will be held in Bangkok for two days before Prakong's body is taken to Phuket.
La-or Chujan, Prakong's younger sister, said Prakong was the seventh of nine siblings. He would go to Bangkok whenever there was a call for a mass rally.
Almost everyone in the family has participated in the protests.
"He was adamant about being in the thick of it until the protesters win," Ms La-or said.
At the Chujans' house in Chalerm Prakiat district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, neighbours and local residents visited to offer their condolences to the family.
Prakong's older sister Chamroon Khamkerd, 65, said Prakong provided all kinds of support for the other siblings.
"All I want to say is, let the death of my brother be the last in the conflict," Ms Chamroon said.
On his Facebook page, Prakong said he had visited various rally sites in Bangkok. That was a few days before the grenade attack.
"It's not as comfortable as being home," he said, responding to a friend's inquiry on Facebook.
On Thursday, one day before the grenade attack that killed him, Prakong appeared determined.
"Here with the folks from Chumphon. I won't hold back this time. We won't go home until we win," he wrote.