On Feb 17, over 5,000 PAD members attended the funeral of Arom Meechai, a teacher and active PAD member. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and a PM’s Office Minister were among the attendees.

Aged 65, Arom Meechai died of cancer on the night of Feb 16 at a Bangkok hospital. She taught English in secondary schools in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Bangkok, where she retired. She was active in social and political movements, including those against the government of Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon in May 1992. She received the National Outstanding Mother Award for social sacrifice and contribution in 1977, and was acclaimed as Exemplary English Teacher in 1997.

In 2006, Arom was diagnosed with breast cancer and given five more years to live. She was advised by doctors against moving about, but she insisted that she would rather do good to society than live idly for longer.

She often appeared on the PAD stage as a speaker, the last time on Sept 22, 2008. According to Manager Online, the effect of teargas fired by police to disperse the PAD crowd protesting in front of the Metropolitan Police Command on Aug 29, worsened her condition.

Apart from key PAD leaders and members, funeral-goers included the Prime Minister, PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, Democrat deputy party leader Kraisak Choonhavan, Democrat Bangkok MP Bunyod Sukthintai, and Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, who, dressed in full military uniform, appeared on the PAD stage last year, and was a close aide of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

The royally-sponsored cremation will be held on Sunday 22 Feb at 17.30.

Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, left.

Sources: Manager Online

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