Thawich, the father of former information and communications technology minister Sora-at Klinpratoom, was pronounced dead at 1.18pm. He had been in hospital for treatment of a kidney disease.

Born in February 1930, he received bachelor's and master's degrees in law from Ramkhamhaeng University.

He was first elected as a member of Parliament for Ratchaburi in 1969. Later, he served in several Cabinets with portfolios including Agriculture, Transport and University Affairs.

He failed to be re-elected in a contest for the Ratchaburi seat in 1995. However, he represented the province as a member of the Constitution Drafting Assembly, which wrote the 1997 charter.

Thawich made headlines in 1996, when he punched Democrat MP Winai Senneam, who had made accusations regarding Thawich's business affairs.

A bathing rite is scheduled for 5pm today at Bangkok's Debsirin Temple.