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Prem Tinsulanonda, Thailand’s ex-prime minister and top adviser to late Thai king, dies aged 98
- Political observers described the head of the Royal Privy Council as a colossal figure in Thai politics
- Prem, a former army commander, was prime minister of Thailand for eight years from 1980
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Prem Tinsulanonda, Thailand’s former prime minister and the country’s long time top royal adviser, has died at age 98, ending a decades-long career of unrivalled influence over Thai politics.
The ailing ex-general died on Sunday morning of heart failure at the Phra Mongkut Hospital in Bangkok, local media reported.
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.”
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A staunch ally of the country’s revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Prem was made the president of the Royal Privy Council in 1998, and had held that position for the last two decades.
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With power frequently changing hands due to the country’s carousel of military coups, Prem was widely viewed by world leaders as a reliable interlocutor to Bangkok’s elite. China’s top political heavyweights have been known to call on him when they visit Thailand.
After Bhumibol’s death in 2016 – following a record breaking seven-decade reign – Prem was temporarily made regent after the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn delayed his ascent to the throne to mourn his father.
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