UNESCO Declares Former Trent College Pupil 'Historic Icon'
A former pupil of Trent College, who attended the School in the 1920s, has been honoured by an international organisation.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has honoured The Honourable Mom Rajawongse (MR) Kukrit Pramoj, by declaring him to be a 'Great Personality.' MR Kukrit, a member of the Thai Royal Family,attended Trent College from 1927 - 1929, and went on to Oxford University where he gained a first in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
The announcement of the 'Anniversaries of Great Personalities and Historic Events for 2010-2011' was made at the 35th UNESCO general assembly in Paris, with the 100th anniversary of MR Kukrit's birth in 2011 announced as one of the anniversaries which will be celebrated. There will be commemorative events held in Thailand throughout that year, including cultural shows and a mobile exhibition of his life and work.
MR Kukrit was named as an historic icon by UNESCO through his contributions to education, culture, society and media. He served as the thirteenth Prime Minister of Thailand, 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 aged 84.
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 'Old Tridents' and the contribution they have made to the School. The Old Tridents' Society was formed in 1903 by a Trent College housemaster, as a way for former pupils to keep in contact with each other, and the school, long after they had left. Over 100 years later, the Society is still going strong, arranging a variety of events, reunions and activities for alumni of Trent College.