Thommayanti


Thommayanti was the pen name of Thailand National Artist Khun Ying Wimon Chiamcharoen, née Wimon Siriphaibun. She was a Thai novelist and was a legislator several times in her career.

Political controversies

Apart from her writing ability, she was a noted orator. On several occasions Wimon gave public speeches in favour of the military. During the coup d'état in the 6 October 1976 Massacre, Wimon played important role in the "housewife society", a group of wives of military generals. She also made public speeches against the students who agitated for democratic reform, saying that the students were destroying Thailand's good relationship with the United States. In that event, students were mass murdered and Wimon was appointed by the junta that took control of the country as a legislator and member of the National Reform Council. Later in 1979, Wimon was elected as a senator.
In 1986, the Supreme Court of Justice found Wimon, while serving as a senator, guilty of having committed adultery with Group Captain Akhom Atthawetworawut, an officer who was also a senator, after Police Major Siwit Chiamcharoen, her husband, filed divorce proceedings and a claim for compensation. After the Supreme Court's judgment, the Senate resolved to dismiss Wimon from senatorial office.
In spite of the Supreme Court's conviction, King Bhumibol Adulyadej awarded Wimon the honorific titles Khun Ying in 2005.

Awards

In 2012, the Ministry of Culture, through its Department of Cultural Promotion, honoured Khun Ying Wimon with the highest honour bestowed upon Thai artist by naming her "National Artist" .

Death

She died on 13 September 2021 when she was 85 years old at her private house, Lanna Devalai in Chiang Mai Province.