At the age of 98, Prem was the longest-living Thai Prime Minister.
26 Facts About Prem Tinsulanonda
2.
Prem Tinsulanonda is the oldest regent of any country, surpassing Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold's record, when he became the regent for king Rama X During the Thai political crisis of the mid-2000s, he was accused by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his supporters of masterminding the 2006 coup, as well as in the appointment of the post-coup legislature and interim government of Surayud Chulanont.
3.
The military junta that ousted Thaksin denied that Prem Tinsulanonda had any important political role.
4.
Prem Tinsulanonda urged Thai society to follow the king's advice and himself founded several welfare projects related to education, drug suppression, poverty, and national unity.
5.
Prem Tinsulanonda's father was the warden of Songkhla prison, and Prem jokingly claimed to have spent most of his childhood in prison.
6.
Prem Tinsulanonda attended Maha Vajiravudh Secondary School in Songkhla, followed by Suankularb Wittayalai School in Bangkok.
7.
Prem Tinsulanonda entered the Royal Thai Army Academy in 1941.
8.
General Prem Tinsulanonda is known for initiating the negotiations with the members of the Communist Party of Thailand.
9.
Prem Tinsulanonda escorted the King and Queen to Nakhon Ratchasima, and began negotiating with the coup leaders.
10.
The coup attempt was supported by Ekkayuth Anchanbutr, a businessman who had fled the country after Prem Tinsulanonda's government issued new legislation against financial crime.
11.
Prem Tinsulanonda was the target of at least four assassination attempts in 1982.
12.
Previously Prem Tinsulanonda sent his men to China, persuading it to stop supporting the Communist Party of Thailand.
13.
On 29 August 1988, Prem Tinsulanonda received honored as a statesman by being the second person from Pridi Banomyong.
14.
On 4 September 1998, Prem Tinsulanonda was appointed to head King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Privy Council, becoming the successor to Sanya Dharmasakti.
15.
Some commentators inferred that Prem Tinsulanonda was criticizing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his administration.
16.
Thaksin's supporters presumed Prem Tinsulanonda was that figure, though Thaksin himself mentioned no names.
17.
Prem Tinsulanonda urged the activists to drop their campaign as it could create conflict within the country.
18.
On 22 July 2007, thousands of protesters, mostly Thaksin supporters, demonstrated in front of Prem Tinsulanonda's house, calling for him to resign.
19.
Prem Tinsulanonda considered taking legal action against the pro-Thai Rak Thai United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship for defamation.
20.
At the age of 96, Prem Tinsulanonda is the oldest regent in the history of any nation.
21.
Prem Tinsulanonda never married and once declared himself to be "married" to the army.
22.
Prem Tinsulanonda was actively involved in many charities, including the Prem Tinsulanonda Foundation.
23.
Prem Tinsulanonda established the Prem Tinsulanonda International School, which opened in August 2001 in Chiang Mai Province.
24.
Prem Tinsulanonda died of heart failure at Phramongkutklao Hospital on 26 May 2019, aged 98.
25.
The Tinsulanonda Bridge, located in Mueang Songkhla District and Singhanakhon District, was built in honour of Prem, connecting Koh Yo on both sides between Mueang Songkhla District and Singhanakhon District.
26.
Prem Tinsulanonda has received the following decorations and awards in the Honours System of Thailand:.