'Mor Yong' dies of septicemia at prison hospital
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Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said Monday that Suriyan Sujaritpolwong, better known as Mor Yong has died of septicemia at the Prison Hospital.
Paiboon said Suriyan was pronounced dead at 10 pm on Friday and the autopsy has been done.
The minister added that a certificate of death has been issued, waiting for his relatives to reclaim the body.
Suriyan, his secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp and Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapa, who recently took his life while in custody, were charged with lese majeste and other criminal charges, including illegal possession of weapons.
Suriyan was considered one of the top astrologers of the country. His Facebook page said that he was born Suriyan Ariyawongsopon in Trang province but changed his name in 2008 after the family name was bestowed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
He wrote that when he was seven and out selling newspapers to earn some extra money for his family, he was hit by a car and knocked unconscious. During those several days when he was unconscious, he claimed he had many visions that helped him become an astrologer when he grew up.
He finished Wichianmatu School in his hometown before going to Bangkok to attend high school at Triam Udom School. After graduating, he studied for a bachelor's degree in mass communications at Bangkok University.
He became famous as an astrologer after he left university. His clientele included celebrities and famous figures from both Thailand and overseas.
He then went to London to obtain a master's degree in advertising design and public relations. After returning, he decided to stop working as an astrologer and focused on youth development and charity activities.
He became a committee member of several social agencies, including the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand and the Thai Buddhist Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage as well as in government agencies such as the Justice Ministry.
Mor Yong's last public appearance, before his arrest on October 14, was when he co-chaired a meeting with PM's Office Minister Panadda Disakul at the Public Relations Department on the "Bike for Dad" event that will be held on December 11. He has listed his favourite book on Facebook as "This Life … Very Difficult to Understand".
