Surin Pitsuwan dies at 68

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PeteC
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Surin Pitsuwan dies at 68

Post by PeteC »

Thailand prematurely and unexpectedly lost one of the really good guys today. :(

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... dies-at-68

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Former foreign minister and Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan died of an acute heart attack on Thursday. He was 68.

Surin collapsed while preparing to speak at the Thailand Halal Assembly 2017 at Bitec in Bang Na.

He was rushed to Ramkhamhaeng Hospital and later pronounced dead.

Surin was born on Oct 28, 1949 in Muang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. He graduated from Claremont College in California in political science in 1972 and earned a master's degree from Harvard University.

He entered politics in 1986 as a Democrat Party candidate and won a seat in his hometown in Nakhon Si Thammarat in all contests from 1986 to 2005.

Surin was the deputy foreign minister from 1992-95 and rose to become the foreign minister from 1997 to 2001 under the premiership of Chuan Leekpai. He was the first Thai to become the Asean secretary-general during which he served in Jakarta in 2008 for a five-year term before rejoining the Democrat party.

A former Bangkok Post columnist, Surin was a speaker at the Bangkok Post Forum on Nov 16 this year. He was expected to run for Bangkok governor when elections are allowed.

The funeral will be held at the Tha It Mosque in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, on Friday.
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Re: Surin Pitsuwan dies at 68

Post by Nereus »

Thailand prematurely and unexpectedly lost one of the really good guys today.
Yes, he was one of the very few that had half a brain. RIP.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
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Re: Surin Pitsuwan dies at 68

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US mourns death of Surin Pitsuwan

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politi ... recent_box

WASHINGTON: The United States mourned the death on Thursday of former foreign minister and Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, praising him as a "great Southeast Asian statesman."

"We extend our condolences to his country, family and loved ones, while saluting his many contributions to the enduring ties between Thailand and the United States and to the diplomatic integration of Southeast Asia," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Nauert said the Harvard-educated Surin was "a tireless champion of the Thai people, an eloquent advocate for all of Southeast Asia, and a dear friend of the United States," and that he "stood staunchly for democratic values."

Surin served as the foreign minister from 1997 to 2001 under a Democrat Party-led government. He is best known for his time at the helm of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations from 2008 until 2012.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
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