Thailand-
In extremely sad news, Kanchana Phattharachoke, the Director-General of the Thai Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Natapanu Nopakun suddenly passed away after battling an undisclosed illness privately for some time.
A further statement from relevant agencies on his passing is expected later this week, with the only information currently released being that Mr. Nopakun passed away on December 4th, 2023, suddenly from an undisclosed private illness.
Natapanu was most recognisable to most foreigners as a daily face for expats and tourists in Thailand during the Covid-19 crisis in Thailand, leading the daily briefings from 2020-2022 in English from the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and providing regular updates on all the changing rules and policies.
He received widespread and regular praise for his briefings, clarity, and compassionate demeanour.
From his LinkedIn profile, Natapanu was a senior Thai diplomat with over 27 years of bilateral, multilateral, and management experience.
Natapanu previously held the position of Advisor to the Thai Ambassador and permanent Delegation of Thailand He was at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland from 2012-2016 and has held diplomatic positions in Washington, D.C., USA and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In addition, Natapanu has served as an interpreter and drafter of official speeches for three Thai Prime Ministers and also served as the Coordinator of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Government House from 2008-2011.
He was an ardent supporter of foreign ex-pats in Thailand, notes TPN Media, and regularly attended briefings and meetings with various organisations and communities aimed at resolving problems and increasing communication for this community.
The loss is a significant one for both the ex-pat community and of course the Thai Department of Information and Ministry of Foreign AffairsRest in peace and our condolences to his friends and family from all of TPN Media.
All photos are from Natapanu Nopakun’s Twitter.
