Former deputy police chief Vasit dies of cancer, 88

Former deputy police chief Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn died of cancer on Wednesday night at the age of 88.

Pol Gen Vasit had sought treatment for the last-stage liver cancer at Police General Hospital. He was  pronounced dead at 10.30pm on Wednesday, Thai media reported.

Born on Nov 14, 1929, in Udon Thani province, Pol Gen Vasit completed secondary education at Khon Kaen Witthayayon School before earning his bachelor’s degree at Chulalongkorn University’s political science faculty.

He furthered his studies in the US, obtaining a master’s degree in public administration from New York University and a PhD in political science at Chulalongkorn University. He earned a certificate in investigation from the New York Police Academy and studied at the National Defence College.

During his career he held several key positions. He served as the palace police chief before moving to the position of deputy director-general of the then Police Department. He was also active in politics, serving as deputy interior minister and later as a senator.

He was a deputy chairman of Matichon’s advisory committee, chairman of the Border Patrol Police Association of Thailand and the police reform committee. 

Pol Gen Vasit wrote many novels about police and crime under the pen name “Ko Bangkok’’. Several novels were made into movies and TV dramas. He was honoured as a national artist in 1998.

Pol Gen Vasit was married to Khunying Thassana Bunnag Dejkunjorn and the couple had two children –Suthat Dejkunkorn and Pol Sub Lt Preenada Dejkunjorn.

Religious rites will be held at Wat Makut Kasattriyaram.