In loving memory of Khun Siwawong Changkhasiri

Siwawong, moreover, improved the application process for the underground resource exploration licence in Thailand which helped lessen red tape and improper financial burdens and helped attract foreign companies with expertise in underground exploration to operate in Thailand.

I personally am not in a better position than those in the Ministry of Industry who worked with Siwawong to acclaim the great work of his. Should I be able to, I could not possibly do so in the allowed space of this column. What I would very much like to mention here, therefore, are the characteristics which made him well regarded and highly respected by those acquainted with him. First of all was his wisdom. Siwawong was one of those who undertook seriously whatever he was responsible for. He would study and inform himself by reading, attending seminars, networking with personnel in such particular fields. With his wisdom, he had a thorough and crystal clear comprehension in his job, which created faith of those working for him, respect from business counterparts and assurance for businessmen about the industries under his supervision.

Secondly, Siwawong was impartial and open-minded. His subordinates praised him for his unprejudiced treatment and encouragement for the competent, allowing them career advancement. This built a firm basis for organisation successors eventually. Those in the industrial community recognised his impartiality and fair conduct to all private companies. The word 'favouritism' had never been in his lexicon. Siwawong also tried to change any problematic rules and regulations so as to make it convenient for new entrants and lessen opportunities of undue financial burden.

The third was his courage to fight for righteousness. He never allowed any back-stair influence to guide his conduct. No political influence could gear him in a wrong or inappropriate direction. I recalled once the authority, who was the then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, asked him to promote an unsuitable official, which he refused to do. It cost him his post and he was dispatched to the Prime Minister's Office. Siwawong was undisturbed, filling his less tight schedule with reading to keep up with modern knowledge in his field of work. Within sixmonths, Siwawong was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry once again as, without him, the Ministry could not keep up with the pace of the industrial world.

What was most frequently mentioned about Siwawong was his honesty and morality. At no single moment did he use a position for his own benefit, though his many posts would allow such an opportunity i.e. director-general of Department of Mineral Resources; permanent secretary of Ministry of Industry; chairman of companies in PTT group; chairman of Egat as well as a member of the boards of several leading companies. Siwawong never tried to make personal gain beyond the standard compensation for that position, let alone the corruption. He put his real effort in contributing to those organisations and never to exploit them. Apart from Dr. Puey Ungphakorn and Khun Kasem Chatikavanij, Siwawong was so true a Man of Honesty that he became the role model for such merit.

Siwawong's working ethic should be remarked upon. He devoted himself to the country, acquired appropriate knowledge so as to be able to serve it effectively, held on to virtuousness, unbiased opinion, and encouraged talented officials to become decent resources for the country. He refused bribery and never allowed corruption in an area under his supervision. During his funeral ceremony, I saw one wreath which read "To a man of real integrity," which in my opinion was accurate and said all.

To me, Siwawong was and is a great man. He was the one who should be looked up to. This great man was never arrogant yet familiar with all including those who were younger. Meanwhile, he was humble and modest when he was with his superiors such as Privy Councillor Air Marshal Kamthon Sindhvananda and Kasem Chatikavanij whom he respected. His constantly pleasant conduct made him beloved and respected. During his funeral bathing ceremony, I witnessed the longest line ever of people queuing to pay him the last respects. Though his family was able to inform very few of his death at short notice, those who knew helped pass along the news rapidly.

Dear P Si, you are a decent man who will be forevermore in my remembrance. You had lived a virtuous life for the countless benefit of the country and those you knew and knew you. Your good soul will definitely be in the other better world.

With all my respect and affection, my brother.