BANGKOK, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Thailand's sole surviving World War I veteran, Yod Saengrungruang, has died at age 106, the Bangkok Post reported.
Saengrungruang was taken sick about a week ago at his home. He was admitted to Ruampaet hospital Wednesday and died Thursday. He is survived by his 101-year-old wife and their nine children.
Saengrungruang, born in May 1897, was one of 1,284 soldiers who volunteered in 1917 to fight with the allies in France.
In 1918, he served as a mechanic in the French army near Marseilles before returning home the following year.
He later became a village official of tambon Tha Pho.
In 2000, he was awarded the rank of second lieutenant prior to being presented with the Legion d'Honneur, a presidential decoration, by the French ambassador to Bangkok.
