Veteran politician dies suddenly after car racing

Chonsawat Asavahame, a key political figure in Samut Prakan province, was pronounced dead at the age of 54 yesterday morning after driving in a practice session for a car race in the northeastern province of Buri Ram.

Chonsawat reportedly passed out after participating in the race at Chang International Circuit on Thursday afternoon and was rushed to Buri Ram Hospital.

Initially, he was suspected of having suffered from heatstroke but was later diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Sunthorn Pansaengthong, a member of Chonsawat’s political faction in Samut Prakan, said the politician was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1.15am yesterday.

Chonsawat’s body arrived in Samut Prakan for funeral rites in the afternoon, he said.

Mr Sunthorn continued by saying that for the upcoming April 3-7 recruitment of MPs, the faction must continue to move forward despite the disadvantageous situation, saying, “at the moment, we are like a ship without a captain”.

“Our team members understand Chonsawat’s vision and will act accordingly,” Mr Sunthorn said.

Krung Srivilai, another member of Chonsawat’s political faction and a former MP in Samut Prakan, said that despite Chonsawat’s death, “the group’s function will not be affected”, as there is cooperation at various levels of local governance.

Chonsawat was the son of former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame. He was the chief of the Samut Prakan provincial administrative organisation and was married to popular singer Nantida Kaewbuasai, the current president of the Samut Prakan administrative organisation.