By Kittipong Thavevong
The Nation
Published on November 25, 2009
Sharp-tongued right-wing political veteran appeared like a folksy uncle, who wasn't afraid of profanity or being belligerent
Former PM Samak Sundaravej (pictured), one of the most colourful and controversial figures in Thai politics, was known for his sharp tongue and short temper.
He died of liver cancer at Bumrungrad Hospital yesterday at the age of 74.
"He comes across as belligerent, aggressive and uncompromising," said Chulalongkorn University political scientist Thitinan Pongsidhirak. "But many people find him affable. He's kind of like your uncle. He's folksy, and not afraid to be a bit profane. He's straight-shooting and connects with a lot of people," the academic was quoted as saying by Associated Press shortly before Samak became the country's 25th prime minister in January last year.
STREET SMART
Dealing with the media brought out the street fighter in Samak, who had a long history of confrontation with the press, dating back to the 1970s when he penned a book critical of the press, "Sandan Nangsue Pim" (The True Colours of Newspaper People). He himself was a newspaper columnist and owner of the now-defunct Daily Mirror.
One of his most memorable remarks was to a reporter who inquired about rumours of infighting within his party. Samak declined to answer the question and when pressed, snapped back with: "Did you have sinful sex last night?"
Unlike many Thai politicians, Samak did not dye his hair to look younger. He once said he got the idea of allowing his hair to grey naturally from his regular barber who said to him, "If you politicians lie about the colour of your hair, can we trust you about other things?"
Born on June 13, 1935, to a senior court official and a Chinese school headmistress, Samak graduated from Assumption Commercial College and Thammasat University's Faculty of Law. He worked as a salesman, sales manager, tour guide, and PR official at the Israeli embassy for a few years before he began his long political career in 1968 by joining the Democrat Party.
He was elected as a Bangkok MP for the first time in 1975, defeating prominent politician MR Kukrit Pramoj, who later became prime minister. When re-elected a year later, Samak was appointed deputy Interior minister in the post-election Democrat-led Cabinet of MR Seni Pramoj. He quickly became well-known for the arrest of several left-wing activists.
His career was also marred by scandal. On October 6, 1976, many students protesting over the return to Thailand of ousted ruler Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn were lynched by right-wing mobs inside Thammasat University and the adjacent Sanam Luang.
The dramatic incident, partly blamed on Samak's provocative comments labelling the students "communists", led to a military coup later in the day. At the age of 41, Samak was appointed Interior minister in the government set up by the coup-makers.
After leaving the Democrat Party, he founded his own political party, Prachakorn Thai (Thai Citizens) in 1979. The new party defeated the incumbent Democrat Party by winning 29 of the 39 seats in Bangkok in the general elections organised later that year. Samak then became one of the most popular politicians in the capital.
LITERARY LEANINGS
Better known for his eloquence, Samak also penned many books. They ranged from serious critiques of politicians "Kanmuang Ruang Tanha" ("Politics Is a Matter of Lust") to easygoing writings about cats "Kon Rak Maew" ("Cat Lovers"), about cooking "Chim Pai Bon Pai" ("Tasting and Complaining"), and about Thai food "Krai Krai Koh Chob Thai Food" ("Anyone Likes Thai Food").
Samak once recounted that his love of cooking began early in his life when he was taken to a local fresh market by his family cook.
In 2000, he was elected as Bangkok governor with a record 1.01 million votes - almost 500,000 votes more than the second-placed Sudarat Keyuraphan from the Thai Rak Thai Party.
After completing his four-year term as Bangkok governor with low approval ratings, Samak in 2006 was elected a senator for the city with the country's second highest tally of over 240,000 votes (about 17,000 votes less than the first-placed winner, columnist Nitipoom Navaratna). But the coup in September that year saw results in the Senate ballot cancelled.
When opting to run for a Senate seat, it appeared Samak had abandoned his long-time dream of leading a government. However, he was finally able to become the country's 25th prime minister in January last year after leading the People Power Party to victory in the general election in December 2007. Samak got the top job as party leader thanks to support from ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted a strong man at the helm after he was overthrown in the 2006 coup.
Samak managed to attain the coveted post near the twilight of his political career, and life, after previously serving as deputy premier in three other governments. At the age of 72, he became Thailand's oldest ever prime minister. However he held the reins for a short period.
Ironically, it was his love in cooking that cost him the hard-earned PM's seat.
In September 2008, after Samak had been in office for slightly over seven months, the Constitution Court ruled that he had violated the constitutional clause that prohibits the prime minister from being an employee of any person. The court found Samak had been hired as host of two television cooking shows.
The court ruling caused Samak to lose the PM's seat. A few days after the verdict he resigned as PPP leader and left politics for good.
Samak admitted last year that he had liver cancer and underwent laser surgery to remove a tumour. After being discharged from Bumrungrad Hospital in late October last year, he flew to the United States with his wife for further treatment.
He is survived by his wife Khunying Surat Sundaravej and their twin daughters.
Published on November 25, 2009
Sharp-tongued right-wing political veteran appeared like a folksy uncle, who wasn't afraid of profanity or being belligerent
Former PM Samak Sundaravej (pictured), one of the most colourful and controversial figures in Thai politics, was known for his sharp tongue and short temper.
He died of liver cancer at Bumrungrad Hospital yesterday at the age of 74.
"He comes across as belligerent, aggressive and uncompromising," said Chulalongkorn University political scientist Thitinan Pongsidhirak. "But many people find him affable. He's kind of like your uncle. He's folksy, and not afraid to be a bit profane. He's straight-shooting and connects with a lot of people," the academic was quoted as saying by Associated Press shortly before Samak became the country's 25th prime minister in January last year.
STREET SMART
Dealing with the media brought out the street fighter in Samak, who had a long history of confrontation with the press, dating back to the 1970s when he penned a book critical of the press, "Sandan Nangsue Pim" (The True Colours of Newspaper People). He himself was a newspaper columnist and owner of the now-defunct Daily Mirror.
One of his most memorable remarks was to a reporter who inquired about rumours of infighting within his party. Samak declined to answer the question and when pressed, snapped back with: "Did you have sinful sex last night?"
Unlike many Thai politicians, Samak did not dye his hair to look younger. He once said he got the idea of allowing his hair to grey naturally from his regular barber who said to him, "If you politicians lie about the colour of your hair, can we trust you about other things?"
Born on June 13, 1935, to a senior court official and a Chinese school headmistress, Samak graduated from Assumption Commercial College and Thammasat University's Faculty of Law. He worked as a salesman, sales manager, tour guide, and PR official at the Israeli embassy for a few years before he began his long political career in 1968 by joining the Democrat Party.
He was elected as a Bangkok MP for the first time in 1975, defeating prominent politician MR Kukrit Pramoj, who later became prime minister. When re-elected a year later, Samak was appointed deputy Interior minister in the post-election Democrat-led Cabinet of MR Seni Pramoj. He quickly became well-known for the arrest of several left-wing activists.
His career was also marred by scandal. On October 6, 1976, many students protesting over the return to Thailand of ousted ruler Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn were lynched by right-wing mobs inside Thammasat University and the adjacent Sanam Luang.
The dramatic incident, partly blamed on Samak's provocative comments labelling the students "communists", led to a military coup later in the day. At the age of 41, Samak was appointed Interior minister in the government set up by the coup-makers.
After leaving the Democrat Party, he founded his own political party, Prachakorn Thai (Thai Citizens) in 1979. The new party defeated the incumbent Democrat Party by winning 29 of the 39 seats in Bangkok in the general elections organised later that year. Samak then became one of the most popular politicians in the capital.
LITERARY LEANINGS
Better known for his eloquence, Samak also penned many books. They ranged from serious critiques of politicians "Kanmuang Ruang Tanha" ("Politics Is a Matter of Lust") to easygoing writings about cats "Kon Rak Maew" ("Cat Lovers"), about cooking "Chim Pai Bon Pai" ("Tasting and Complaining"), and about Thai food "Krai Krai Koh Chob Thai Food" ("Anyone Likes Thai Food").
Samak once recounted that his love of cooking began early in his life when he was taken to a local fresh market by his family cook.
In 2000, he was elected as Bangkok governor with a record 1.01 million votes - almost 500,000 votes more than the second-placed Sudarat Keyuraphan from the Thai Rak Thai Party.
After completing his four-year term as Bangkok governor with low approval ratings, Samak in 2006 was elected a senator for the city with the country's second highest tally of over 240,000 votes (about 17,000 votes less than the first-placed winner, columnist Nitipoom Navaratna). But the coup in September that year saw results in the Senate ballot cancelled.
When opting to run for a Senate seat, it appeared Samak had abandoned his long-time dream of leading a government. However, he was finally able to become the country's 25th prime minister in January last year after leading the People Power Party to victory in the general election in December 2007. Samak got the top job as party leader thanks to support from ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted a strong man at the helm after he was overthrown in the 2006 coup.
Samak managed to attain the coveted post near the twilight of his political career, and life, after previously serving as deputy premier in three other governments. At the age of 72, he became Thailand's oldest ever prime minister. However he held the reins for a short period.
Ironically, it was his love in cooking that cost him the hard-earned PM's seat.
In September 2008, after Samak had been in office for slightly over seven months, the Constitution Court ruled that he had violated the constitutional clause that prohibits the prime minister from being an employee of any person. The court found Samak had been hired as host of two television cooking shows.
The court ruling caused Samak to lose the PM's seat. A few days after the verdict he resigned as PPP leader and left politics for good.
Samak admitted last year that he had liver cancer and underwent laser surgery to remove a tumour. After being discharged from Bumrungrad Hospital in late October last year, he flew to the United States with his wife for further treatment.
He is survived by his wife Khunying Surat Sundaravej and their twin daughters.
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