Former Thai PM passes away in Bangkok

Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has passed away in a Bangkok hospital. He had been receiving treatment for liver cancer before slipping into a coma on Sunday. He died on Tuesday.

Sundaravej will be remembered as one of the most colorful and controversial figures in Thai politics. The 74-year-old was the country's 25th prime minister, and former leader of the disbanded people's Power Party. He held the position of prime minister and defense minister from January 2008 to September of the same year.

He was also a newspaper owner and columnist, a Bangkok governor elected with the highest number of votes, and a Cabinet member serving in many areas, including interior, transport, and agriculture.