Thailand: The Prem Tinsulanonda Bridges crossing the Thale Sap Songkhla (Songkhla Lake), Songkhla. General Prem Tinsulanonda (August 26, 1920 - May 26, 2019) was a Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988. Songkhla was the seat of an old Malay Kingdom with heavy Srivijayan influence. In ancient times (200 CE - 1400 CE), Songkhla formed the northern extremity of the Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka. The city-state then became a tributary of Nakhon Si Thammarat, suffering damage during several attempts to gain independence.