Some 50 listeners gathered at the premises of the Siam Society in Bangkok on Asoke Montri Road (Sukhumvit Soi 21) in the evening of 30 October 2014 to hear a talk by Achan Sulak Sivaraksa, 81, Thailand’s eminent social critic and predominant philosopher, who was invited to give a talk about Khun Chamkad Balangura (30 October 1914 – 7 October 1943) - a Siamese hero in the Free Thai Movement of World War II.

Khun Chamkad Balangura was the eldest son of Phaya Padungwitthayaserm, Head of the former Textbook Writing Division of the Ministry of Education. When Chamkad won a first place in the Siamese Government scholarships examination, he went to the University of Oxford in England to study philosophy, politics, and economics.

In 1935, Chamkad wrote a book titled “Philosophy of New Siam”, where he argued that the 1932 Revolution had brought a new era to Siam akin to the Renaissance in Europe, liberating the people and their culture and moving Siam to the gateway of the modern world. He boldly proposed that the Thai language and culture should be modernized in order to move Siam to a higher standard of civilization.

In the early phase of World War II (in 1941), Chamkad also proposed at that time to the leader of the Thai Government (Field Marshal Phibun Songkhram) to recognize the Free Thai Movement, which was headed by Pridi Banomyong. Thus, his recommendation seemed to be instrumental that as a result Siam was not treated as an enemy state by the Allied Forces (such as Japan and Germany) after the end of World War II.

On the occasion of Khun Chamkad’s 100th birthday anniversary, Achan Sulak Sivaraksa took the challenge to highlight the life of Chamkad Balangura and addressed him as a hero, who had dedicated his life (only up to 28 years) to country and humanity alike.

Achan Sulak Sivaraksa was a former editor of the prestigious “Journal of the Siam Society” and has long been known in the West as one of the fathers of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB). His list of published books is remarkable:

• A Socially Engaged Buddhism, Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development, 1975
• Religion and Development, Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development, 1987
• Siam in crisis: A Collection of Articles, Santi Pracha Dhamma Institute, 1990
• Seeds of Peace: A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society, Parallax Press, 1992
• Buddhist Perception for Desirable Societies in the Future: Papers prepared for the United Nations University, Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development, 1993
• A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society: Collected articles, Inter-religious Commission for Development, 1994
• Loyalty Demands Dissent: Autobiography of a Socially Engaged Buddhist, Parallax Press, 1998
• Global Healing: Essays and Interviews on Structural Violence, Social Development and Spiritual Transformation, Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development, 1999
• Powers That Be: Pridi Banomyong through the rise and fall of Thai democracy, 1999
• Conflict, Culture, Change: Engaged Buddhism in a Globalizing World, Wisdom Publications, 2005
• The Wisdom of Sustainability: Buddhist Economics for the 21st Century, Souvenir Press, 2010

The Siam Society – Under Royal Patronage – was founded in 1904 in co-operation with Thai and foreign scholars (Dr. Adolf Bastian from Germany among them).

From the beginning, the study of art, science, culture and natural history of Thailand as well as that of neighboring countries were encouraged and promoted to local and international communities. On-going activities include regular study tours, exhibitions, musical and dance performances, lectures, seminars and conferences. At present time, there are close to 1,700 members, including both Thai nationals and foreigners from approximately 50 nationalities.

For further information, please contact GMS Media Travel Consultant Reinhard Hohler based in Chiang Mai/Thailand, who is a life member of the Siam Society since 1987, or go to the website: www.siam-society.org