SAMUT PRAKAN, Thailand – Mr Chonsawat Asavahame’s sudden death on Friday brought grief to his family but also an uncertain future for his political empire in Samut Prakan province.
He was rushed to hospital on Thursday after losing consciousness due to heatstroke during a race car practice at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram, Thailand.
He was pronounced dead early on Friday at the age of 54.
Mr Chonsawat served as president of the Samut Prakan Chamber of Commerce. More significantly, he was viewed as the patriarch of the Pak Nam faction in the ruling Palang Pracharath Party – though he held no political position at the time of his death.
He led a political empire founded by his father, former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame, who has lived overseas since fleeing a prison sentence for corruption.
Dominating Samut Prakan politics
Six out of seven Samut Prakan…
