Former <i>Bangkok Post</i> columnist and deputy secretary general to the prime minister Kanjana "Gap" Spindler died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer, her husband of 43 years confirmed. She was 72.
Kanjana "Gap" Spindler, former 'Bangkok Post' columnist and deputy secretary general to the prime minister, will be fondly remembered by her readers, friends and colleagues.
Julian Spindler said Kanjana passed away peacefully Tuesday evening.
Kanjana was one of the Post's most versatile writers, equally at home reporting from the front line of the Thai-Cambodian war or interviewing international celebrities and world leaders. Being a self-confessed "fashion addict", she also was the founding editor of Elle Thailand and Elle Decor.
But it was her work as a Bangkok Post political columnist and her vision of a modern, egalitarian and just Thailand that impressed Gen Surayud Chulanont who, when he became prime minister following the 2006 military coup, appointed her to the position of deputy secretary general for political affairs. She was the first woman to fill that key position in any Thai government.
At the Bangkok Post, Kanjana developed a strong readership for her stylish writing that often embraced singular but penetrating points of view. She wrote news, analysis and columns for more than 30 years, starting as a feature writer in the early 1970s until her retirement in 2004.
Her flair and love of literature saw her establish the literary page in the Sunday paper in the 1980s. There, she reviewed the work of Thai writers and presented their novels and poetry to foreign and Thai readers. The page helped popularise the Southeast Asia Write (SEA Write) Award, now the region's top literature award, and hosted annually in Thailand.
She also wrote the "In Character" column, each time providing an insightful portrait of a leading politician or social figures during the 1990s. She was known for another clear and incisive commentary column on the leading issues of the day.
She is survived by her husband and her son, Kris.
Bathing rites will be held at Wat Mongkut Kasatriyaram, Sala 1, at 4.30pm on Thursday followed by prayers at 6.30pm. On Friday and Saturday prayers will be held at 7pm.
Cremation will take place on Tuesday at 6 pm.
No ceremonies at temple on Sunday and Monday.