Politician Hiran dies of cancer

PHUKET: Hiran Thepsiri-amnuoy, who stood for election as a Thai Rak Thai (TRT) candidate in the parliamentary elections at the beginning of this year, died on Friday of intestinal cancer. K. Hiran, 50, was the owner of the Mook Kohkaew souvenir shop and was chairman of Vichit Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) for four years before stepping down in order to run for election as member of parliament for Voting District 2. Despite failing to be elected as an MP, K. Hiran stayed in political life as the chairman of the TRT’s local watch committee, charged with checking whether local civil servants are following the government’s instructions, and as a member of the TRT’s Southern Tourism Development Committee. Dr Yada Palimapan, who stood as TRT candidate in Voting District 1, told the Gazette that she had been close to K. Hiran, and was sad to hear of his death in Bangkok’s Samitivej Hospital. “He was like an elder brother to me. He would introduce me to people and always helped me when I had problems in the run-up to the election. “He was such a good example of endurance and fighting spirit. I went to see him in hospital over the past two weeks and he was still talking about jobs that needed to be done,” Dr Yada added. K. Hiran’s body will be cremated with full honors, including Royal Holy Water, at 3 pm on Sunday, at Wat Chalong.