Keep Apiwan’s funeral rites ‘politics free’

Keep Apiwan’s funeral rites ‘politics free’

Funeral rites for former Pheu Thai MP Col Apiwan Wiriyachai should be free of politics so family and friends can pay their respects to him properly, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said yesterday.

Col Apiwan was a former deputy House speaker and a leader of the red-shirt movement supporting former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra. He was wanted in Thailand on a charge of lese majeste.

He died from a lung infection on Monday night in the Philippines, aged 65.

Gen Prawit's warning that political elements must not disrupt the service were made in response to a report that Sunai Chullapongsathorn — former MP of the Pheu Thai Party and a Thaksin supporter — had encouraged red-shirt supporters to attend Col Apiwan's funeral rites. Gen Prawit said he was ready to talk to Mr Sunai to ensure they understood each other.

It was reported Col Apiwan's body would arrive on flight TG 621 from Manila at Suvarnabhumi airport about 3.20pm tomorrow.

The bathing ceremony will be held at Wat Bang Phai in Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi on Saturday at 9am.

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