UNESCO honours Thairath daily founder

BANGKOK, Nov 15 (TNA) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) names Kampol Watcharapol as a UNESCO Eminent Personality of the World for education and mass communication. Education Minister Thirakiart Charoensethsilp said the UNESCO adopted a resolution in its General Conference session in Paris to honour Kampol, the founder of Thairath, Thai-language daily newspaper, the Thairath Witthaya schools in rural areas and the Thairath foundation. Mr Kampol is named as a prominent figure in education and mass communication in 2018-2019 by UNESCO is also to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of late Thairath founder. He is the only person from Asia, honoured on this occasion. Mr Kampol started working as a journalist with Lak Thai newspaper in 1947 before he later founded his newspapers, Khao Parp and Saeng Ang Thong, both of which were closed down in relation to politics. He founded Thairath in 1962 and the business continues until today. Mr Kampol was member of the National Legislative Assembly in 1973 and senator for three consecutive terms. He died of cancer at the age of 77 in 1996. (TNA)