Thawee Kraikupt

Kraikupt in 2019

Thawee Kraikupt (Thai: ทวี ไกรคุปต์; 29 May 1939 – 19 April 2024) was a Thai politician. He served as Deputy Minister of Commerce (1981–1982), Deputy Minister of Transport (1992–1994) and a member of the House of Representatives (1979–2000). Kraikupt died on 19 April 2024, at the age of 84.

History

Thawee Kraikupt was born on 29 May 1939 in Tambon Chet Samian Photharam District Ratchaburi Province. He was the son of Saeng Kraikupt and Thurian Kraikupt. Graduated from secondary school at Amnuay Silpa School Graduated with a bachelor's degree from Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University Married to Siribang-on Kraikupt, a former associate judge, has 3 children: Sihadet Kraikupt, former mayor of Bang Ton Don Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Sinat Kraikupt, and Parina Kraikupt, a former member of the House of Representatives, Ratchaburi, for 4 terms

Politics

Thawee entered politics By being a member of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council in 1975 before running for the election of the House of Representatives of Ratchaburi Province and being elected for the first time in 1979, he was elected continuously until 1996. As for the election in 2001, he ran under the name of the Thai Rak Thai Party, but lost to Ms. Prapaiphan Saengprasit from the Democrat Party. He later retired and let his daughter, Ms. Pareena, run for the election instead.

Thawee Kraikupt entered politics by extending the service of General Prem Tinsulanonda. Thawee held a referendum, sending 500,000 postcards. People's opinion is to extend the service. until being appointed as Deputy Minister of Commerce in the government of General Prem Tinsulanonda in 1981 but received benefits from the insurance company until Thawee had to resign and was the Deputy Minister of Transport in the Chuan Leekpai government in 1992 On Thursday, November 22, 2018, Thawee Kraikupt traveled to apply for membership of the Palang Pracharath Party along with Mr. Boonjong Wongtrairat.

Members of the House of Representatives

Thawee Kraikupt was elected as a member of the House of Representatives for a total of 7 terms:

1. Thai general election 1979 Ratchaburi Province under the Siam Prachathipatai Party
2. Thai general election 1983 Ratchaburi Province under the Thai National Party
3. Thai general election 1986 Ratchaburi Province under the Social Action Party
4. Thai general election 1988 Ratchaburi Province under the Social Action Party
5. Thai general election September 1992 Ratchaburi Province Affiliated with New Hope Party
6. 1995 Thai general election Ratchaburi Province Affiliated with Democrat Party
7. 1996 Thai general election Ratchaburi Province Affiliated with Democrat Party

After retiring from politics

During the 2006 Thai coup, Thawee went on a hunger strike at the Democracy Monument, Ratchadamnoen Road, from noon. To protest the coup d'état of the National Reform Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy

In 2014, Mr. Thawee joined political activities with the People's Radio for Democracy (PRD) group, supporting the National Democratic Front Against Dictatorship

Lawsuit

Acts that damage the dignity of members of the House of Representatives

On July 8, 1982, the House of Representatives established a special committee To consider the allegations that Thawee Kraikupt has committed acts that are detrimental to the dignity of the House of Representatives due to committing defamation

Defamation case of Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban

Thawee Kraikupt was convicted by the Court of First Instance in 2003 on the charge of defaming Mr. Suthep. by publishing an article in Matichon newspaper that Mr. Suthep had committed corruption in the Iridium satellite telephone project, sentencing him to 3 months in prison and a fine of 5,000 baht, but the prison sentence was vacated, leaving only the fine. Later, the Appeal Court upheld the lower court's ruling, and the Supreme Court sentenced him to 3 months in prison, suspended for 2 years.

Animal Cruelty Case

On March 7, 2016, Thawee Kraikupt used a gun to shoot a stray dog in front of a 7-11 store until it died. The incident occurred on the road in front of a 7-11 convenience store, Chat Pa Wai branch, Suan Phueng District. Initial reports indicate that Thawee drove to buy something at the convenience store. While leaving the store, the dog bit his leg. Thawee got angry, walked back to his car, picked up a gun, and shot the dog 5 times. Witnesses were able to witness the incident, but the surveillance camera in front of the convenience store could not capture the image. The police therefore went to his house to invite him in for initial questioning. Ready to order the investigation team to collect images from cameras inside the store to confirm one way Initially, the case was prosecuted, charged with animal cruelty according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Section 20, which prohibits anyone from committing acts that are considered animal cruelty without reasonable cause. Anyone who violates Section 20 shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding forty thousand baht, or both. The charges are carrying a gun in a city, village, or public road without permission and firing a gun without reasonable cause.

Died

On April 20, 2024, the family of Thawee Kraikupt revealed that On April 7, 2024, Tawi collapsed and was taken to Suan Phueng Hospital, Village No. 5, Tha Khoei Subdistrict, Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi Province, before the family took him for treatment at Siriraj Hospital, Siriraj Subdistrict, Bang Khun Non District, Bangkok on the same day and underwent surgery. After that, he was checked into the ICU. He only responded to hand movements. But on the morning of April 8, 2024, the doctors informed the family that Tawi did not respond at all. His pupils were not sensitive to light and he was unable to breathe on his own, meaning that his brainstem was dead. The family accepted this and moved him back to Ratchaburi Hospital for treatment. While being treated, Tawi did not respond and was survived on a ventilator. Until 10:40 p.m. on April 19, 2024, the doctors informed the family that Tawi could not breathe with the help of a ventilator and passed away peacefully at the age of 84 years, 10 months, and 21 days.

On this occasion, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun bestowed royal water for bathing the body along with the funeral regalia, including a royal urn and an octagonal urn. Chat Bencha is decorated, oboes, and 10 drums are played while receiving the royal bathing water and the chanting of the Abhidhamma for 3 nights. The participants included Napinthorn Srisanpang Deputy Minister of Commerce / Chaithawat Tulathon Leader of the Opposition / Manit Nopamornbodi Former Deputy Minister of Public Health / Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police / General Prawit Wongsuwan Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand