Gen Ekkachai Srivilas, head of the Office for Peace and Governance at the King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI) and a noted peace advocate, has died at the age of 74.
Gen Ekkachai died at his home after having received treatment for some time for laryngeal cancer.
It was reported his family was making preparations to hold his funeral at Wat Makut Kasattriyaram.
Born on May 29, 1948, Gen Ekkachai graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and later attended post-graduate programmes in political science and management at various institutes.
He also took part in national-level conflict resolution efforts through peaceful means involving political groups across the political divide.
He had served as commander of air defence artillery and as deputy director of the National Defence College.
Sombat Boonngam-anong, a political activist, recalled how he came to enrol in the KPI's advanced programme on forging peace at the encouragement of Gen Ekkachai.
After he was released from detention by the military in the aftermath of the May 2014 coup, he received a phone call from Gen Ekkachai asking him if he wanted to attend the peace-building course.
He and Gen Ekkachai were no strangers to each other having appeared in a television programme together.
Mr Sombat admits he struggled to wrap his head around the purpose of participating in the peace forging course but soon discovered why after being persuaded to do it by Gen Ekkachai.