Virachai plaza biography sample

Virachai Plasai, a veteran diplomat best known for his role in the contentious Preah Vihear temple case, has died in the United States at age 58.

Virachai, who was appointed as Thailand's ambassador to the United States in June last year, passed away peacefully at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore at 12.43am local time yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said.

Nattawut Pothisaro, former Thai ambassador to Cambodia, said he was shocked by the loss of Virachai, who he said was very close to him.

Mr Nattawut said that when he served as the deputy permanent secretary for the Foreign Ministry, he was working closely with Virachai, then-ambassador to the Netherlands, in the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the Phrea Vihear temple.

"It was a pity to lose a good and smart person," said Mr Nattawut.

"When I learned of his death, I was shocked. I could not believe he would leave us so prematurely."