Statesman Siddhi dies

BANGKOK: Former foreign minister ACM Siddhi Savetsila died Saturday at the age of 96. Privy councillor and former deputy prime minister, he died of natural causes at about 5am, Matichon Online reported.

Bathing rites will be held Monday at Wat Benchamabophit and funeral rites will start later on the same day.

Siddhi was the son of Maha Ammat Tri Phraya Wannapruekpicharn (Thongkham Savetsila), a high-ranking official in the royal government, and Khunying Khlip Wannapruekpicharn, an offspring of the influential Bunnag family. His paternal grandfather was Henry Alabaster, the British consul to Siam during the reign of King Rama IV, who later served as adviser to King Rama V.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Statesman-Siddhi-dies-30274386.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-05

Siddhi was the son of Maha Ammat Tri Phraya Wannapruekpicharn (Thongkham Savetsila).

That`s a name and a half. I suppose Dad was known as good old Maha to his mates.

Siddhi was the son of Maha Ammat Tri Phraya Wannapruekpicharn (Thongkham Savetsila).

That`s a name and a half. I suppose Dad was known as good old Maha to his mates.

I understand the first four words are a title. Wannapruekpicharn is perhaps the bestowed name. In brackets would be the normal name on the birth certificate.

Is dying of natural causes so rare it has to be mentioned???

His paternal grandfather was adviser to King Rama V interesting.

His paternal grandfather was adviser to King Rama V interesting.

A Brit as well.

Is dying of natural causes so rare it has to be mentioned???

He was only 96

I have fond memories of that time period when Siddhi was foreign minister. There were lots of interesting characters back then. My thoughts go out to his son Tada.

"His paternal grandfather was Henry Alabaster, the British consul to Siam during the reign of King Rama IV, who later served as adviser to King Rama V"

Interesting to note - well, perhaps to some (!).

The Family name "Savetsila" derives from a literal translation of his Great Grandfathers' name "Alabaster" - both meaning, basically, "White Stone".

Patrick