Lawyer Thongbai passes away

Magsaysay award-winner Lawyer Thongbai Thongpao, recognized for his hard works in defending the poor in human right cases, passed away Monday morning. He was 84 years old.

Thongbai died of heart attack at 6:40 am.

The bathing rite was held at the Srimahathat Temple in Bang Khen at 4 pm. Praying rites will be held at the Pavilion 4 at 6:30 pm and the cremation will be held at 4 pm on Saturday.

Thongbai was recognised at the champion of the poor by representing them in human right cases.

His help to the poor prompted him be selected a Magsaysay award winner for public services in 1984. But he refused to travel to Philippines to receive the reward from then Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos, whom he regarded as having violated human rights.

Thongbai was a member of the constitution drafting assembly in 1996.

Sombat Wongkamhaeng, the spokesman of the Law Society of Thailand, said Thongbai's death was a great loss as he was a great lawyer who contributed to the society.

"He was a great man. We feel very sorry over the loss as it will be difficult to find anyone who devote himself and contribute to the society in human rights issue like him," Sombat said.