MR Kukrit Pramoj (1911-1995), an incredibly versatile man
This year marks the centenary of his birth and it is worth taking a moment to reflect on this man, writer, journalist, statesman and artist, one of the most honored and beloved in Thailand.
His Thai name is: ม.ร.ว. คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช (literally: Extraordinary Power; Joyful Happiness). His title, Mom Rajawong (MR), already indicates his aristocratic origin: he was a great-grandson of King Rama II. Like many of this stature, he was sent to England at an early age, eventually graduating from Queen's College in Oxford with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics.
Newspaper
Back in Thailand he worked for a while at a bank and later founded an influential daily newspaper, Siam Rath (De Siamese Natie, 1950) to which he himself made passionate contributions. He was notorious for his sharp tongue, critical attitude and wry humor which often brought him into conflict with the official powers, although he described himself as a loyal monarchist. “Journalists love the idiotic things I say,” he said in 1993. “They'll miss me when I'm dead.”
He was politically very active. From 1946 to 1976 he was a member of parliament and for a while chairman. In 1974 he founded the Social Action Party (his brother, Seni, was the leader of the Democrats), held several ministerial posts and was prime minister in the turbulent liberal years 1975-1976, during which time he restored ties with China ( 1975) and called for the withdrawal of all US troops. He opposed the ruling powers and advocated decentralization. His political career ended with the bloody coup in 1976, when hundreds of students were massacred on the grounds of Thamassaat University. His brother Seni then became prime minister.
MR Kukrit taught classical Thai dance (called khoon) in which he also performed himself. He played a role in the movie “Ugly American” alongside Marlon Brando (1963).
Books
He wrote 30 books on all aspects of Thai society, from history to politics and culture. He also wrote 8 novels and a collection of short stories. His most read book, translated into English as Four Reigns, describes the turbulent life of Mae Ploy, during the reign of Rama V to Rama VIII (approximately 1900 to 1945), during which her life was sometimes torn apart by all the new social, economic and political developments of the time. A nice television series was also made of it. The collection of short stories, translated as Many Lives, evokes the lives of 8 people who drown during a boat trip on the Chao Phraya, often with sharp social-critical insights and comic moments.
MR Kukrit was a unique personality in Thailand, perhaps the most famous and admired person after the king. He once described the Thai ideal as "an elegant, graceful life, with flexible morals and a calm detachment from life's more serious problems."
MR Kukrit Heritage Home
MR Kukrit Heritage HomePart of his legacy can be found in the MR Kukrit Heritage Home, 19 Soi Phra Pinit (close to Soi Suan Phlu, Immigration Department), South Sathon Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok (BTS Skytrain: Chong Nonsi), open Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 9.30am to 17.00pm.
Entrance 50 baht, for Thais and foreigners. English speaking guides. Tel. 02-2787 2937. An oasis of peace.
Thank you Tino for the interesting information about the best man because actually had no idea who and what Mr Kukrit Pramoj once was when my girlfriend wanted to sit with him at a table so that I could take a picture of it.
She tried to explain it to me in her best English, but I paid more attention to Madonna and Tata Young who were also there. 😉
For those who want to, a visit to Madame Tussaud in Bangkok is a nice outing. 🙂
That you remember that, Tjamuk, after 35 years! Good looking. If you haven't read his books yet, you really should. You get a beautiful picture of Thailand, seen through the eyes of a Thai and not through the eyes of a khon taang chaat, Makes a lot of difference.
Tino, a small park was opened on Soi Ngam Duplee a year ago, adjacent to a large library and museum. The latter two will be opened soon. Here is a larger than life statue of the good man and the library and museum are dedicated to him. There used to be a driving range on this site, but it was destroyed by a tornado five years ago. The royal family has taken the initiative to give this area a new destination and, I believe, also provided the money. The first opening was performed by Princess Siridhorn. The grand opening will not be long in coming and then Bangkok will have a beautiful cultural complex. It is located between the old Immigration on Suan Phlu and the renovated auditorium of the Thamassat Association on Soi Ngam Duplee (side street of Rama IV, Lumpini Metro Station). The neighbors on one side are the Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation Department, and on the other side Kroong Kan Suan Phlu Pattana, a fine example of successful Thai social housing. 15 flats that replaced a slum that burned down in 2004. It is these things that give the citizen courage.
Thank you for this information. It is a pity that I visit Bangkok so little. There are quite a lot of beautiful things happening in Thailand.