One of last WWII vets dies at 99

A guard of honour turned out yesterday for the funeral of a 99-year-old World War II veteran who died last week in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Maj Gen Thiwa Daewa, commander of the 41st Military Circle and head of the provincial War Veterans Office, led the guard of honour at the funeral in Nop Phi Tham district of Choi Jan-iad, who died on Jan 18.

Many local villagers were also there to pay their respects.

Choi served as a regular soldier in the army’s 15th Artillery Battalion in 1941 when it unsuccessfully tried to prevent Japanese forces from landing in the province.

In 1945, he left the army and took up farming until his death at 99.

He lived under five monarchs, from King Rama VI to King Rama X.

Only eight other veterans from World War II, now aged between 99 and 102, are still alive.