On 15 August 2012, Ms Wichulee Chotbenjakul, Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy, Ankara, attended the funeral of Mr. Sahip İhsan Tansuk, or known as “Than Tansuk” among the Thais living in Turkey, Former Honorary Consul General of Thailand in Istanbul.

The funeral was well attended by Thai people to reminisce fondly of Than Tansuk’s kind heart and great contribution to the Thai community in Istanbul and neighbouring provinces. Throughout 35 years of his diplomatic career, he had contributed greatly to promote the relations between Thailand and Turkey.

Than "Tansuk", meaning of "full of happiness"as the Thais named him after his kindness, died at the age of 96 from his old age. Born in 1916 in Selonika (currently in Greece), he studied at Istanbul High School and graduated from Middle East Institute of Public Administration in Ankara with a Master Degree. In 1936, he started his career in Etibank. He later took part in the construction of many dams including the Sarıyer Dam in Ankara. He started his diplomatic carreer in 1967 as the Honorary Vice-Consul to the he first Honorary Consul-General, Mr. Celalettin Dervis-Bükey, who was Than Tansuk’s business partner in Istanbul. When Mr. Dervis-Bükey died in 1983, Mr. Tansuk became the second Honorary Consul-General of Thailand in Istanbul.

While he fell sick and stayed at a nursing home in Istanbul, H.E. Mr. Rathakit Manathat, Ambassador of Thailand to Turkey, and Mrs. Srirat Vathesatogkit, Minister Counsellor, paid him a couple of visits and sent him with a bouquet expressing their full mental support. On 13 August 2012 when he departed this world, H.E. Mr. Rathakit immediately sent a letter of condolences to Mr. Refik Gökçek, incumbent Honorary Consul General of Thailand in Istanbul, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government to express his deepest sorrow on the great loss of such an important figure of the Thai-Turkish relations.

Than Tansuk did not have any child or relatives. Before the end of his life, he made a will donating all his assets for charity.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara wishes to extend most sincere thanks for his great endeavors to Thailand and the Thai Community in Turkey. His compassionate personality and his dedication to promote the Thai-Turkish ties will always stay in the memory of all Thais in Turkey. May he rest in peace.