Dr. Marn Thet San, well known patron of Mon literature and culture as well as former College Headmaster, passed on October 10th. He died of a heart attack at his home in Mayangone Township, Rangoon.

Dr. Marn Thet San was cremated on October 14th at Yay-Way cemetery in North Okkalapa Township, Rangoon. Five to six hundred people attended the ceremony, a participant told IMNA.

Dr. Marn Thet San was a head master of Moulmein and Bassein Degree Colleges. He was also vice minister of Ministry of industry in Ne Win’s government. Though Dr. Marn Thet San was a high profile government servant, he was active in the Mon community. He was faculty advisor to the Mon Literature and Culture Committee at Moulmien College, and strongly censured the authority trying to remove the campus’s Golden Sheldrake statute. The Golden Sheldrake, also known as a Brahminy duck, is the national symbol of the Mon people.

In 1972, Dr. Marn Thet San was the co-organizer of the 26th anniversary Mon National Day at Thein Phyu field, which is located in Mingala Taungnyunt Township, Rangoon.

He was educated in America, and earned a masters and doctorate in chemistry at the University of Illinois in 1955 and 1957.

Dr.Marn Thet San was born in Kawhnat village, Moulmein Township. He is the second son of three to Nai Lun Maung and Mi Thein Thin. Dr. Marn Thet San was 79 years old, is survived by a wife, his daughter Dr. Mi Thi Dar San and son Min Wanna San.