UNESCO declares OT Kukrit Pramoj 'historic figure'

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has honoured Old Trident, The Honourable Mom Rajawongse (MR) Kukrit Pramoj (b. 1911, d. 1995) and declared him to be one of the world's 'Great Personalities'.  MR Kukrit, a member of the Thai Royal Family, attended Trent from 1927 - 1929 and was in Wortley House.  He went on to attend Oxford where he gained a first in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. 

MR Kukrit became an historic icon through his contributions to education, culture, society and media.  He served as the thirteenth Prime Minister of Thailand and was the founder of the Siam Rath newspaper and writer of the classical novels Si Pan Din and Phai Daeng.  In a career with incredible breadth, he also appeared with Marlon Brando in the Hollywood film 'The Ugly American', and was named National Artist for Literature in 1985 in Thailand, ten years before he died in 1995.

His elder brother, MR Seni Pramoj, who attended Trent in the 1920s, was also a former Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as receiving the prestigious 'Birkenhead Prize' when serving at the English Bar. Perhaps down to his education at Trent and whilst he was Ambassador to Washington in 1942, MR Seni refused to deliver the declaration of war against America and Britain, as it did not reflect the will of the citizens.

The Thai Lecture Theatre, a room that all Trent pupils are very familiar with, is named in recognition of the many fine Thai OTs and the contribution they have made to the School.