PM, Democrat Party mourn death of Surin Pitsuwan

BANGKOK, Dec 1 (TNA) – Prime Minister and Democrat party mourn the demise of Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister and former ASEAN Secretary-General, who died of an acute heart attack at the age of 68 yesterday. Government Spokesperson Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Gen Pratyut Chan-o-cha extended his condolence to the families of Mr Surin. The prime minister said he was the prestigious person not only to Thailand but also to the world community. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokeswoman Bussadee Santipitak expresses sorrow to the demise of Mr Surin, who played a vital role in implementing Thailand’s foreign policies and driving ASEAN bloc to move forward. Ex-prime minister and Democrat leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva said Mr Surin was a person full of knowledge, capability and firmness in ideology, which becomes rarer to be found in political arena. HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn granted a wreath and soil for Mr Surin’s burial ceremony, scheduled around 2pm at Tha-It Mosque in Nonthaburi today. Mr Surin, then-Democrat MP served as the foreign minister from 1997 to 2001 under a Democrat Party-led government. He was nominated by the Thai Government and endorsed by ASEAN leaders to be ASEAN Secretary-General for year 2008-2012. (TNA)