Veteran 'Post' journalist Suwan-ampa dies age 72

Veteran 'Post' journalist Suwan-ampa dies age 72

The Bangkok Post's award-winning veteran journalist Suwan-ampa Santimananeedol died yesterday from colon cancer. She was 72.

Suwan-ampa: Won several awards

Suwan-ampa, who changed from her previous name of Ampa two years ago, died only two days before her 73rd birthday tomorrow.

Suwan-ampa graduated in journalism from Thammasat University and began her career as reporter with the Prachathippatai (Democracy) newspaper.

She spent a year at Prachathippatai before joining the Communist Party of Thailand. Together with her husband, Patinan, she fled the authorities to the jungle in Surat Thani where she later gave birth to her first son, Weerachote. After her return to Bangkok, she gave birth to her second son, Ratchapong.

Suwan-ampa also worked with Matichon newspaper for four years, during which her news article titled Roy Puen Nai Wong Karn Suksa (Blemish in Education) won the prestigious Isra Amantakul Award in 1984. That year, she landed a reporter's job at the Bangkok Post where she also received an outstanding news award for her report on Klong Toey residents' court victory over the port authority in a pollution case.

Suwan-ampa signed up for the early retirement programme and left the Bangkok Post in 2008, continuing to work as independent media practitioner on radio and TV.

The chanting of Abhidharma rites is being held daily at Wat Phra Sri Maha That in Bang Khen district until Wednesday. The cremation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday.

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