Ex-health minister succumbs to kidney problems

Chaiya began his political career in 1993 as a member of Solidarity Party and took over the Public Health Ministry in 2008 under the Samak Sundaravej government. He held the Transport portfolio from 1999 to 2001 under the government led by Chuan Leekpai, who is the current Parliament president.

Chaiya’s predecessor at the Public Health Ministry, Mongkol na Songkhla, 79, died of cancer on Friday.