INSight
Kovid Bhakdibhumi's years as a straight-arrow police commander and devotee of Muaythai have prepared him well for his latest endeavours in what is sometimes a highly contentious Senate
SONGPOL KAOPATUMTIP
Senator Kovid Bhakdibhumi with Phra Khru Wutitammatorn, the abbot of Watbotevoradit temple, and four members of the welfare home during a recent visit to Pamok district of Ang Thong. |
When local politicians, businessmen and community leaders in Ang Thong province got together to find a candidate to contest the Senate election early this year, their unanimous choice was Kovid Bhakdibhumi, a retired police general with a reputation for honesty. They promised their support, but Kovid was reluctant.
"I declined the offer because I knew nothing about politics. I was a career police officer; it was the only job I had ever done," says the former deputy national police chief.
The local leaders did not give up. Five days later, they sought another meeting with Kovid, but this time they explained emphatically why his presence in the Upper House would help bring about national reconciliation, at a time when there were deep political divisions in the country.
Four months have passed since his election to the Senate on 2 March, and Kovid has not disappointed his supporters. He has exercised his leadership and his ability to bridge the gap in the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, of which he is a member. But with 76 elected senators and another 74 chosen from various groups of people, it will take time for all 150 Upper House members to get to know each other and develop cohesion, he explains.
In his opinion, the current conflict with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple deserves a lot more attention from members of parliament.
"We must have full understanding of this complex and sensitive issue," he said. "When faced with this type of problem, everyone must exercise wisdom, restraint and patience. Nationalism can impede good judgment."
"In this respect, the government must keep the public informed. Concealing the truth from the public will breed suspicion and confusion, making it harder for the government to gain public support," said Kovid.
"Firm policy is doubtless called for. But violent language and jingoism are counter-productive," he added.
Senator Kovid is no stranger to conflicts, thanks to his 34 years in the national police force, four of which he was head of Police Region 5 and responsible for eight northern provinces. In addition to normal crime, he had to deal with drug traffickers operating along the rugged borders with neighbouring countries.
Thailand's black economy was also thriving, and it was hard to know who was doing what to whom. At the first meeting he had with his subordinates, Kovid made it clear that they did not have to take care of him. There were more than 100 police stations in Region 5 at that time, and each police station was supposed to collect 10,000 baht a month for their boss.
No kickbacks ever reached Kovid during his four-year term as chief of Police Region 5 - a sterling achievement that earned him great admiration and respect in the local and foreign law enforcement circles. Not surprisingly, Kovid was appointed as the first commander of the Narcotics Suppression Centre under the Police Department (now the Royal Thai Police Office), responsible for anti-drug operations throughout the country, in addition to his position as deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau.
Kovid obtained the full rank of police general in 1997, a year before he retired as deputy director-general of the Police Department. He has received four royal decorations. His surname Bhakdibhumi was royally bestowed by His Majesty the King in 1981.
Elevating Thai boxing
A fine sportsman, Kovid devoted himself to promoting Muaythai (Thai boxing) after his retirement.
With full support from Mr Jose Sulaiman, the president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), the World Boxing Council Muaythai (WBC Muaythai) was established four years ago to promote Muaythai as the world's premier fighting art, according to Kovid.
The two men also played a key role in organising the first Muaythai World Championships in the United States in September 2007 to honour His Majesty the King's 80th birthday anniversary.
In his letter to His Majesty the King dated 11 September 2007, Jose Sulaiman noted that His Majesty was "our inspiration ... for the creation of these world Muaythai championships," which were held in a totally sold out arena.
According to Kovid, the elevation of Muaythai to international sport will help create a better understanding of Thai boxing, which has been the country's most popular spectator sport for hundreds of years, among the global community.
"In Muaythai, fighters are able to use their elbows, knees, feet and fists more effectively than in other martial arts," he explains. "Another unique characteristic of Muaythai is the Wai Kru (paying respects to the teacher) rituals. Every WBC Muaythai competitor must perform these rituals as well as boxing dance before each bout."
In addition to Muaythai, Senator Kovid is the president of the Asian Boxing Council and the vice president of the WBC, a position he has held for four years now.
The WBC Muaythai is solely affiliated with the WBC and adheres to the standard rules and regulations for all Muaythai competitions, as approved by the Board of Boxing Sport under the Sports Authority of Thailand.
As its chairman, Kovid is solely responsible for the administration of the WBC Muaythai, the sanctioning of all official events and championships along with the appointment of the committee members.
Despite the huge responsibilities, Kovid is proud of the fact that he has successfully brought Muaythai on the international stage.
"It is at a new threshold for world recognition as a popular ring sport," he said.
A busy week
Despite his workload, Senator Kovid continues to exercise and spend quality time with his wife, four grownup children and three young nephews. There is a parliamentary meeting to attend every Friday, with two more meetings with the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs during the week.
There are also weekend functions to attend in Ang Thong. As their elected senator, he must keep in touch with what is happening and with what people of Ang Thong are thinking or saying.
He is also in charge of a welfare home for poor children at Watbotevoradit temple in Pamok district, where he was ordained as a monk in 1964. Here, more than 200 children from poor families in the North and Northeast of the country are provided comprehensive support, which includes accommodation, food and education under a foundation chaired by Senator Kovid.
"Our aim is to help build young people's capacity so that they become self-reliant when they leave the welfare home," says the senator.
On a recent visit to the temple, Kovid met Orapin Mayela from Mae Fah Luang district of Chiang Rai, who has been at the welfare home for six years. She will complete high school next year and intends to continue her studies to be a nurse.
Four members of the welfare home who graduated from the Ratchapat University in nearby Ayutthaya province have returned to the temple to teach the children. It is this kind of achievement that encourages Kovid to continue his philanthropic endeavour.
In his opinion, the progress and well-being of a country begins in the family.
"If you cannot take good care of your family, you won't be in a position to help others in society," he said. "That's why it's important to strengthen the family institution in our country."
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BioDATA
Senator Kovid Bhakdibhumi was born on March 30, 1938 in Ang Thong province.
He received primary education in Pamok district, and secondary education at Assumption College in Si Racha, Chon Buri province, and Phra Nakhon College in Bangkok.
He obtained a Bachelor's degree in science from Hill College in California, USA.
He attended the FBI training school in the USA and the National Institute for Development Administration in Bangkok.
He joined the Police Department in 1964 as an inspector attached to the Crime Suppression Division. He held various positions in the Police Department, including chief of the Narcotics Suppression Centre, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, and deputy director-general of the Police Department.
Senator Kovid is married to Duangjai Suwannamas. They have three sons and a daughter.
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Clarification
In the InSight column of July 13, 2008, a reference was made to the wind turbine company Vestas. That reference was made by the writer, not the Danish minister for climate and energy.
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