Former Deputy Prime Minister and former leader of Thailand’s Democrat party Bhichai Rattakul died of lung cancer today (Monday) at Siriraj Hospital. He was 96.

He is survived by his wife and three children, including former Bangkok Governor Bhichit.

He was last admitted into the intensive care unit of Siriraj Hospital on February 14th and was discharged from the unit yesterday. In December, he was admitted to the same hospital because he needed to be fed intravenously.

Mr. Bhichai was deputy prime minister of Thailand from 1983-1990 and from 1997 to 2000. He was also Speaker of the House of Representatives and president of the National Assembly.

He was leader of the Democrat party, from 1982 to 1991, and the world president of Rotary International from 2002 to 2003.