Sukich Nimmanheminda Explained

Sukich Nimmanheminda
Native Name:สุกิจ นิมมานเหมินท์
Native Name Lang:th
Order:Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
Term Start:1 January 1958
Term End:20 October 1958
Primeminister:Thanom Kittikachorn
Term Start1:14 October 1973
Term End1:22 May 1974
Primeminister1:Sanya Dharmasakti
Office2:Minister of Economic Affairs
Term Start2:21 September 1957
Term End2:20 October 1958
Predecessor2:Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit
Successor2:Sunthorn Hongladarom
Office3:Minister of Industry
Term Start3:28 June 1949
Term End3:12 June 1952
Predecessor3:Tan Snidvongs
Successor3:Munee Mahasanthana Vejayantarungsarit
Primeminister3:Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Birth Date:25 November 1906
Birth Place:Chiang Mai, Thailand
Death Place:Bangkok, Thailand
Alma Mater:University of London
Signature:Sukit Nimmahemin signature.svg

Sukich Nimmanheminda (Thai: สุกิจ นิมมานเหมินท์, 25 November 1906 – 2 February 1976) was a Thai scholar, educator, politician and diplomat. He was a professor at Chulalongkorn University and served as its secretary-general. He also served multiple terms as member of parliament for Chiang Mai, and held the posts of Minister of Industry, of Economics and of Education as well as two terms as deputy Prime minister of Thailand.

Life and career

Born and raised in Chiang Mai, Sukich attended Assumption College in Bangkok before he continued his education in England. He completed bachelor and master of science degrees from the University of London as well as a civil engineering diploma from Battersea Polytechnic Institute.[1]

Upon his return to Thailand, he became a lecturer of mathematics and hydraulics at Chulalongkorn University in 1933. He was appointed secretary-general of the university in 1938 and acting dean of the Faculty of Arts in Sciences in 1940. Two years later he became both member of the executive council of Chulalongkorn University and director-general of the department of vocational education of the Thai ministry of education.[1]

Sukich was elected member of parliament for Chiang Mai for three terms (1948–1958), and held the post of Minister of Industry in Plaek Phibunsongkhram's cabinet from 1949 to 1952. He chaired the Sahaphum Party ("United Land") founded in June 1957 to support Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat's accession to power. After Sarit's coup d'état in September 1957, Sukich served as minister of Economics and from January to October 1958 additionally as deputy prime minister in the government of Thanom Kittikachorn.[1]

He later served as Thailand's Ambassador to India (1959–1963), also accredited in Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. From October to December 1963 he represented Thailand as ambassador to the United States. Sukich was the first Secretary-General of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization from 1968 to 1969.[1] Subsequently he served as minister of Education, again under Thanom, from 1969 to 1972. After the end of military dictatorship in the course of the 14 October 1973 uprising, Sukich was again deputy prime minister under Sanya Dharmasakti, serving until May 1974.

In addition to his scientific expertise, he was also knowledgeable in history and literature. He collected rare books and birds. Sukich was a Fellow of the Royal Society in two subject areas, history and physical sciences, and also served as its president from 1975 to 1976.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Professor Sukich Nimmanheminda. www.seameo.org. SEAMEAO. 20 November 2006. 10 February 2018.
  2. Pin Malakul . Pin Malakul . Charit Tingsabadh . Charit Tingsabadh . Obituary: Professor Sukich Nimmanhaeminda (1906-1976) . Journal of the Siam Society . 1976 . 64 . 2. 338–341 . 10 February 2018.