Reaching a golden age

       It seems both Surichai Wun'gaeo and the folks who came to shower him with a blessing last Friday were caught by the same surprise: Has the man already crossed that golden threshold into the post-retirement years?
       Judging from the ever-youthful, ever-dynamic personality of Surichai, however, the Chulalongkorn sociologist will probably remain as extremely busy as he has been over the last few decades.
       After all, none of his friends and associates would ever want him to slow down,anyway. One of the few socially engaged academics in this country, Surichai has been involved in a wide range of public campaigns, both educational as well as political, to raise awareness about the alarming levels of social inequality and risks induced by globalisation.Thanks to his ardent, often behind-the-scene support,several crucial issues have been raised in the public arena, particularly through seminars held at Thailand's oldest university, and certain efforts subsequently embarked in the bids to alleviate those problems.
       Thus the joke by Saree Ongsomwang, manager of the Foundation for Consumers Thailand, that there were "probably about [representatives of] three hundred nongovernment organisations" who attended Surichai's retirement party, may not be entirely unfounded. The event held at Chula's Thewanaruemitr Hall saw a truly eclectic group of well-wishers - from slum residents to jet-set scholars, former National Human Rights Commissioners, a senator, activists NEWS working on consumer, environmental and international trade issues, to human rights advocate Angkhana Neelapaichit, Kanchanaburi's iron lady Phinant Chotirossrenee, and Prachuap Khiri Khan citizen activist Jintana Kaew-khao.
       In her article in a book published as a tribute to Surichai,titled Jark Rak Ya Su Lokapiwat (From Grassroots to Globalisation), Angkhana noted her deep appreciation for "the medium-built man with a crop of dishevelled hair"who has been providing her with constant moral and tangible support since her husband lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit went missing more than five years ago.
       But Angkhana was not alone. Phinant of Kanchanaburi said Surichai was a key helper in her attempts to publicise the issue of illegal dumping of toxic chemicals at an army base in her hometown following a big fire that burned down the warehouses at slum Khlong Toey in 1991. Later, a working group was set up to push for national safety precautionary measures back when the issue was still given little attention by relevant state authorities.
       The public mind demonstrated by this Lamphun-born man extends to the personal level as well. During the dinner talk last week, Jintana recalled how she went around with her peers from Prachuap Khiri Khan to explain to the public why a decade ago, they had to stage a road blockade on Phetkasem Highway as part of their protest against coalfired power plant projects. Surichai dug into his own pocket and offered 2,000 baht to the villagers to cover part of their transport fees to Bangkok. Jintana said she even thought to herself back then how "this uncle was so kind and generous to us".
       One remarkable trait concurred by Surichai's friends and associates is how the man does not seem to have a big chip on his shoulder. One of his assistants wrote he once offered her an apology, an unusual move by someone as senior as him. A few students at Chulalongkorn expressed invariably their gratitude for Surichai's efforts to expose them to reallife experiences in rural Thailand. In particular, his openmind approach that nurtures each student to develop his or her world views without any interference or dominance by any particular school of thought.
       The man's non-partisanship has won him both friends and critics in several corners. An article by the FTA Watch Group, a coalition of NGOs working on repercussions of free trade, mentioned that Surichai had to brave a storm of criticism against his decision to accept a seat at the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) set up after the October 19,2006 coup d'etat, following his belief that at least he should try to represent the marginalised people in Parliament during the interim military-appointed regime.(Surichai eventually tendered an early resignation having witnessed how the NLA rushed to approve a number of laws that he said would jeopardise the country down the road.)
       Despite an early downpour on Friday, the party kept growing as the evening dragged on. Guests showed up with a variety of delicacies that turned the pot luck dinner into a genuine feast. The mood of the event was set by a mix of serious discussions on social injustice and playful jibes at the centre of the party, Surichai. But the retired director of the Social Research Institute apparently took in every teasing word with a big boyish smile.
       Even his wife and colleague, Chantana Banpasirichote,chipped in her share of comical anecdotes. She said her husband has been so unbelievably busy that he has never stepped into the back part of the house they have lived in for years. Considering that after his retirement, Surichai will move on to take charge of a new centre on peace study and conflict resolution, also at Chulalongkorn, among the other numerous hats he's still wearing, what she'd now like to offer to him would, she said, be a key to a condominium nearer to the city. That would certainly enable the active man to dig his nose ever deeper into public affairs. And who would dare say that Surichai has reached his retirement years?
       -Vasana Chinvarakorn
       Shop till you drop
       Lending its name nicely to this column is the NewsMakers group who are preparing their 4th Clutter Sale, to take place this coming Saturday at the Four Seasons, Bangkok.
       It all started when this particular group of friends, all of
       whom are in the related business of making Makers news, got together at one of their regular chatty lunches and decided they all shopped too much and had nice things lying around the house not really being used.
       They had all bought nice clothes or bags which had been used once, maybe twice, and are collecting dust in the corner of the closet somewhere. That's where the idea of the Clutter Sale came about. The first Clutter Sale, held at the Four Seasons, Bangkok, proved to be a huge success, and a nice sum of money was raised for the National Cancer Institute as part of the Cancer Care Run held annually by the hotel. Preparations are now in full swing for the event this weekend, with tables being finalised and vendors furiously turning their houses upside down to put together the things they plan to put up for sale.
       Among the vendors are Kai Boutique, Melanie Giles Clapp, MR Maluli Vorawan, Agalico (ML Poomchai Chumbala), Nithinan Arungvongse na Ayudhaya, Chalermnit (Dr Parichart Jumsai), Alisara Sirichoomsang, Shane Suvikapakornkul, Krisadawan Hongladarom, International Women's Club, Arlene Rafiq, Chatchanit Mahaguna, ML Nandhika Vorawan, Tipaporn Ajanant, Vee Mar, Delia Kang,Franza Chakrabandhu and Rudi Crosley.
       The goods sold are primarily second-hand items but in almost new condition. Past events have seen, among others,items such as brand-name goods, vintage clothes, fashion accessories, jewellery, sports equipment, and even cars,change hands. The event has become a much-awaited fun occasion for both vendors and shoppers alike. For this year's event, a Diplomats' Table has been set aside for items donated by the diplomatic community, a Brand Name table for luxury items, and a lucky draw will be held for a chance to win attractive prizes, with tickets priced at 40 baht each.
       Be sure to go early to pick a cue card for the Fortune Telling booth as well! This year's beneficiary will be the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer, as part of the hotel's Cancer Care Run once again.
       For those interested in selling items there are a few tables available. Otherwise, just be there to shop till you drop!