NIBHON WILAIRAT

  
NIBHON WILAIRAT  Former Thai Ambassador  
Died peacefully on November 22, 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand at the age of 97. He was a resident of Chevy Chase, MD from 1963 - 1967 while serving as Deputy Chief of Mission and Counselor at the Thai Embassy in Washington DC. Born in Nakorn Pathom, Thailand, he graduated from Suan Kularb Boys School and Thammasat University in Bangkok from which he received an LL.B., and later studied international law at the London Institute of World Affairs. He was a public relations officer in the Thai Prime Minister's Office during the tumultuous years 1936 - 1947 which saw the Franco-Thai War, the occupation of Thailand by Japanese forces in World War II, and the mysterious death of King Rama VIII. In 1947, he joined the Thai Foreign Ministry where he had a long and distinguished career culminating in assignments as Thai Ambassador to Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon and Singapore. After retiring from government service, he joined Siam Motors where he was counselor to the company's president and a director in the company's subsidiary operations in mining and international trade. He retired from Siam Motors in 1992 at the age of 76. His remaining years were devoted to his hobbies - growing orchids, golf, reading - and participating in pilgrimages to Buddhist temples and holy sites. Preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, he is survived by three younger siblings, four sons, Prapon and Prapin of Bangkok, Kawin of Washington, DC, and Pallop of Berkeley, CA; four daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. The traditional Thai seven-day Buddhist funeral rites are being held in Bangkok to be followed by a royal-sponsored cremation at a later date.