Former prime minister and close advisor to Thailand’s revered royals Prem Tinsulanonda died early Sunday aged 98, a senior parliamentarian said, ending a decades…
Former prime minister and close advisor to Thailand’s revered royals Prem Tinsulanonda died early Sunday aged 98, a senior parliamentarian said, ending a decades-long career of unrivalled influence over Thai politics.
Prem “passed away this morning around 9 o’clock”, interim house speaker Chai Chidchob told MPs on the third day of Thailand’s new parliament.
“I would like to ask everyone to stand for a moment in memorial.”
Hailed as a stabilising force by allies but loathed by critics as a conservative underminer of democracy in the kingdom, Prem was a top aide to the late beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej and helped cement the unshakeable bond between the monarchy and the military.
As Privy Council president his influence endured through a tense succession period after Bhumibol died in 2016 and Prem was briefly appointed regent before Bhumibol’s son Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne.
Prem presided over the king’s surprise wedding to Queen Suthida days before his coronation earlier this month.
With assistants helping him stand, he took part in a key sacred water ritual on coronation day alongside 2014 coup leader and junta chief Prayut-Chan-O.
