A matter of love and hate

I regard Samak as a great friend among my important sources.

When I needed comments on hot political issues, his name was among the first to pop into my head. He often answered the phone himself, and his comments were usually fiery, just as everyone came to expect.

My personal impression is that Samak acted the role of the volatile politician regardless of his position - as MP, leader of the party, deputy prime minister or Bangkok governor. His readiness to share his views made my work easier.

My access to Samak was only interrupted while he served as leader of the People Power Party and prime minister between January and September last year.

I called him at home on election night on December 23, 2007. He answered the phone. I asked if he was tired. "A little bit," he replied. Although his party had just been voted into power, he seemed stressed by the country's political situation.

I had no chance to talk to him again until he resigned as premier the following September. Then came the news that Samak was in hospital.

I decided to visit him at Bamrungrad in early October, intending only to leave a written get-well message. I arrived at the hospital about 7pm and wrote my message in the guest book, then went to visit a monk who was also being treated there.

Moments later, one of Samak's aides phoned me and asked me to come to his room. As it turned out, this would be the last time I met him in person.

I found Samak's wife, Khunying Surat, in the room, as she was every day. Samak was in good spirits, watching the news from his bed. I joked that it would get him wound up, but he just laughed.

He told me about his illness in detail, and spoke about the current state of politics. As I left he expressed confidence he'd be cured and back home soon.

Several years ago, during one our meetings at his house in the Klong Kum area, I kidded Samak about the old Chinese belief that people with long ears like him lived long lives.

Samak smiled and recalled a fortune-teller telling him he'd live to age 93. This is a world of uncertainties, however. Samak died at 74.

He left me good memories I will never forget.

In memory of this great politician,

KRISANA CHAIYARAT

TV ANCHOR