Naewna on March 3, 2018

Debsirin School Alumni’s Pride of Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia

I would like to thank Debsirin School Alumni Association under the Royal Patronage for inviting me as a former president of the Association to join the 60-year Thai-Malaysian Relation anniversary celebration on February 23, 2018 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Tunku Professor Datuk Dr. HJH. Sofiah Jewa, a famous legal and history professor who is Tunku Abdul Rahman’s niece to present Tunku Abdul Rahman’s family linkage by his Thai mother. He was sent to study at Debsirin School. He came from the rulers’ family of Kedah State.

My father, Mr. Soonthorn Hongladarom was the first Thai Ambassador to Malaysia and a Debsirin alumnus. Tunku Abdul Rahman was my father’s senior friend while he was studying at Cambridge University. He worked well with Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The 60-year Thai-Malaysian Relation anniversary celebration was supported by several ambassadors like Mr. Krit Kraichitti, a former Thai Ambassador to Malaysia and the current deputy permanent secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a former Thai Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr. Damrong Kraikruan.

The next day, Tunku Professor Datuk Dr. HJH. Sofiah Jewa visited Debsirin School.  Mr. Anan Sapwaree, the Debsirin School director, teachers, current students and alumni warmly welcomed her. I had an opportunity to be the school representative to thank Tunku Professor Datuk Dr. HJH. Sofiah Jewa. I hope that international relation between both countries can be all Debsirin School students’ pride and interesting history. Tunku Abdul Rahman came from Kedah State which was called “Saiburi State”. It used to be a part of Thailand. In the reign of King Rama IV and King Rama V, it was returned to the United Kingdom. Now, there are nearly 34 Thai temples in Kedah State. Interested Thais should visit and learn history there. Thailand borders to Malaysia. We should bring about Thais’ pride and both countries’ international relation. If the security organizations know about profound relation, they can help relieve 3 southern-bordered provinces unrests which have been lasting for more than 10 years.

Tunku Professor Datuk Dr. HJH. Sofiah Jewa said that she had 75% of Thai blood.

I would like to admire LPGA in Pattaya which was broadcast worldwide. Then, Thai tourism was shared to worldwide audiences. It should be our great pride. It was a great sport tourism event. Even though Thai golfers did not win, Thai golfers like Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn were on the world’s top tanks. They are Thais’ great pride.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Sisaket, a Thai 115-pound boxer who succeeded in defending his championship in California, the U.S.A.

I always say that the boxer like Sisaket must have the same goal as Manny Pacquiao. Sisaket boxed and earned 8 million Bahts which was high. Manny Pacquiao’s matches stop the world. Each time, he earns billion Bahts. Sisaket’s management should find opportunities for him to box in large city like Las Vegas. Moreover, he should network with the powerful promoters so that Sisaket’s match can stop the world like Manny Pacquiao did. Sisaket has good path and opportunities. Besides Sisaket, other Thai boxers should follow this path.

I would like to say that Sisaket’s path is good but can be better than this. The younger generation of boxers should follow his path. They should be managed by American promoters. Then, the income should be shared to them. Thai boxers must be as famous as Manny Pacquiao.

Now, Sisaket has a good start. Comparing to Manny Pacquiao, Sisaket’s 8-million-Baht income is less. He must aim as high as Manny Pacquiao. The world cannot miss all of his matches. Now, Sisaket is interesting for fewer groups of people. His income must increase from 8 million to billion Bahts. Thai boxers must be the global brand.

Please click this link to see the pictures.

https://cdn.gotoknow.org/assets/media/files/001/288/881/original_nn_eng_3_march_2018.pdf?1521003964

Prof. Dr. Chira Hongladarom

Source: Learning from Reality with Dr. Chira Column. Naewna. 
             Saturday 3 March 2018, p.5