Behind every great man

The Komol Keemthong Foundation has recognised the wives of five Thai heroes as this year's Honorary People

Atiya Achakulwisut

26 Febuary 2000

Behind every successful man, there is a strong, selfless woman. Oftentimes, however, the brightness of heroism blinds the sacrifice of the other half.

The Komol Keemthong Foundation, was established to commemorate the young rural teacher who was killed while trying to educate poor and underprivileged people. This year it recognises the faces in the shadows. The foundation has chosen five wives of the Thai heroes as its Honorary People of the year.

- Mrs Margaret Smith UngphakornNo matter whether her late husband, the highly respected Dr Puey Ungphakorn, was in a position of great power or unfairly forced to take refuge in a small flat in England, Mrs Margaret Smith Ungphakorn remained equally private. "

Mrs Smith dedicated herself to bringing up her children. The love and care she gave to the family render any differences in culture or language insignificant," the citation stated. Ms Smith graduated in sociology from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where her husband, a former governor of the Bank of Thailand, also obtained his PhD in economics.

While Dr Puey absorbed the values of perseverance, determination and honesty from his mother, Mrs Smith's belief in social democracy and simple life had an influence on him. Her independence was a major factor that helped Dr Puey to serve the country to his fullest potential. One of her three sons, Jon Ungphakorn, said he could not talk about his father in separation from his mother in terms of upbringing.

"In the house, my mom prevails. Father often followed what my mum planned for us," he said.

Apart from fulfilling her role as a dedicated wife and mother, Mrs Smith also worked as a volunteer for social welfare both in Thailand and England.

An ardent believer in pacifism, Mrs Smith rejects violence of all means. She refused to serve a call for English women to give help during World War Two and was taken to court for it. Seeing that she was a true believer in peace, the court released her. When Dr Puey had to seek refuge in England after the massacre in October 6, 1976, Mrs Smith stayed by his side. She took care of the great man of Siam until he passed away last year.

- Mrs Chalopchalai Balanggura Dusdi Banomyong, a daughter of the late statesman Pridi Banomyong, recalled the day she travelled to Bangkok with Mrs Chalopchalai. It was raining very hard, she recalled. "Khru Chalopchalai took me into her arms and cried."

It was the day Mrs Chalopchalai learned that her husband, Jamkad Balangura, a member of the Free Thai Movement, had died. Jamkad had been on assignment from Pridi, the movement's leader, to establish a connection with the Allies in China. While trying to carry on the mission in the foreign land, Jamkad died of cancer. Born in 1914, Mrs Chalopchalai was ahead of her time in terms of education for women.

A graduate of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts, Mrs Chalopchalai won the King's Scholarship to study in England, only the fourth woman from Thailand to have a chance to do so. Together with Jamkad Balangura, whom she married in 1939, Mrs Chalopchalai established the Darunothayan school, which produced many high-quality people for the country.

Mrs Chalopchalai gave shelter and education to children of pro-democracy fighters, who were heavily prosecuted after the coup in 1947. She also extended her help to students who were in trouble after the crackdown on October 6, 1976.

She is now 84 years old. Yet, she is as dedicated in teaching her students, giving moral support to the underprivileged and helping the oppressed as she ever was. - Mrs Chanid Saipradit While her husband, Kularb Saipradit, was busy with political activism, Chanid Saipradit made sure everything went along smoothly at home.

A legendary journalist and writer, Kularb Saipradit (Sri Burapha) was the author of the classic novel, Khang Lang Phab (Behind the Painting). He was also editor of Prachachart newspaper. He also wrote in Prachamitr-Suphapburus, criticising the government of Field Marshal Pibulsongkram for its wide-ranging violations of human rights.

Like Mrs Jinda, Mrs Chanid ran everything when her husband launched the Suphapburus newspaper. She is also a translator, turning such masterpieces as Jane Ayre and Les Miserables into Thai. For his pro-democracy activities, Kularb went into jail more than once.

While he was locked up, Mrs Chanid took care of the children, brought him food and raised income from teaching and translating books. In 1958, Mr Kularb was invited to visit China as cultural ambassador, with the approval of then Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn. While he was away, however, the government was overthrown by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat. Seeing the government tried to suppress pro-democracy journalists and opposition politicians, Kularb decided to take refuge in China.

Mrs Chanid followed him four years later and she stayed there with him until he died. She then returned to Thailand. The Sri Burapha Award was established to commemorate Kularb's spirit of democracy. Sri Burapha Road, which links Ramkhamhaeng, Seri Thai and Navamin roads, also stands as a testimony of the contribution of the writer to the Thai society.

- Mrs Kruaphan Bamrungpong Sakchai Bamrungpong's The Ghost is a highly-acclaimed landmark novel about youth's idealism against oppressive political situations. The book sent the author, who wrote under the penname of Seni Saowapong, and was subsequently ranked one of the country's most important authors.

Sadly, little was known about Mrs Kruaphan, the author's wife, who perhaps faced more ups and downs than the fictional characters her husband wrote about. Mrs Kruaphan's father, Chaliaw Pathumros, was implicated in the death of King Rama VIII, and was, in fact, arrested on the day Mrs Kruaphan was engaged to Sakchai. Chaliaw was executed together with two other people.

Mrs Kruaphan married Sakchai in 1953. Her support helped Sakchai to pen one after another of his distinguished literary works which eventually won him the first Sri Buraphan Award.

- Mrs Jinda Sirimanond A week after her marriage, Jinda's husband, Supa Sirimanond, launched a weekly newspaper, Nikorn Wan Arthit. From then on, his reputation as one of the greatest journalists this country has ever seen and the demands that came with the job never ceased.

Mrs Jinda always supported her husband's ideals even if it meant she often had to care for herself. To fight for the country, Supa had to join the Free Thai Movement's force in India for several years. When her husband was prosecuted for his association with Pridi Banomyong, who was then falsely accused with the regicide of King Rama VIII, Mrs Jinda had to sustain herself by turning her house into a nursery.

And when Supa launched the progressive magazine, Aksornsarn, Mrs Jinda was instrumental in the management and distribution. She was often seen sitting in a tricycle, transporting the magazines from the printing house to the shops. Mrs Jinda stopped her nursery business to care for Supa when he got ill. She stayed with him until the day he died.

Bangkok Post