SONGKHLA: Hundreds of people have gathered at Phathammarong Museum -- the birthplace of Privy Council president and statesman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, who died on Sunday morning -- to pay homage to one of the architects of Thailand's modern history, according to media reports.
They began to arrive at the museum, the original home of of the Tinsulanonda family, late on Sunday morning after learning of Gen Prem's death.
At about 2pm, about 300 government officials and alumni of Maha Vajiravudh School, where Gen Prem received his primary education, and Tinasulanonda Fishery School gathered in front of the museum and held a silent vigil.
They said they were shocked on learning of the death of Gen Prem, whom they regard as the "father" of the Songkhla people. Many said they would travel to Bangkok to attend Gen Prem's funeral.
"We people of Songkhla are very proud of what Gen Prem had done for us and all Thai people throughout his life," one said.
The Pathammarong Museum is located at House No 1 on Chana road in tambon Bo Yang of Muang district, near the National Museum of Songkhla. The museum features the room where Gen Prem was born and pictures of him at different ages, both in military and civilian clothes.