Former deputy House speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai, wanted for allegedly insulting the monarchy, died from lung cancer on late Monday night in the Philippines. He was 65.
Col Apiwan
The leading Pheu Thai member and former core leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship was taking refuge from lese majeste charges in the island nation.
In a message posted on his Facebook page, UDD chairman and former Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan said he had been informed by Col Apiwan’s wife that the former deputy speaker died at 10.38pm and arrangements were being made to bring his body home.
His funeral rites will be held at Wat Bang Pai in Nonthaburi’s Bang Bua Thong distirct.
The Criminal Court in July approved a warrant for Col Apiwan's arrest for allegedly insulting the monarchy in a speech he gave on a red-shirt rally stage in Phetchaburi on Jan 29, 2011, a violation of Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
Earlier, a highly placed source in the Pheu Thai Party said Col Apiwan was sick and underwent a lung operation in the Philippines after he had fled Thailand. He had been weak after his operation for lung inflammation in late August, the source said.