Bangkok —on March 9, 2015, Thammasat University held a press conference about the celebrations of Puey Ungphakorn’s 99th anniversary. Presided over by Professor Dr.Chanrvit Kasetsiri, the event includes as a talk, “Technocrats and Thailand’s Economy,” by Assistant Professor Dr.Apichat Satitniramai of the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, an expert in macroeconomic theory and development economics. There is also the launch an e-library website by the Foundation for the Promotion of Social Sciences and Humanities, a book bank, and digitalized documents for public use. Among objects shown in the “A Man Called Puey” is Dr. Puey’s MBE Royal insignia presented by King George VI of England.

Professor Dr.Chanrvit Kasetsiri, who spoke at the eleventh Puey Talks in 2009, and serves as a committee member and secretary of the Foundation for the Promotion of Social Sciences and Humanities organizing the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Professor Dr.Puey Ungphakorn project, said that “Professor Dr.Puey was an extraordinary common man. He was a teacher, an economist, a hero, a community developer, a civil servant and importantly, a humanitarian. Therefore his interest and works was not limited to economics or Thailand in geographical terms. His academic works embrace social sciences and the humanities, science and technology, and beyond, leading to great dreams where the Academy creates peace, democracy and righteousness.”

“It is such a pleasure to have many agencies, in and out of Thammasat University joining forces to celebrate the Puey Ungphakorn’s 99th anniversary. The event aims to praise and honor one of the most respected academics whose works were invaluable in their social responsibility. I believe event will help everyone understand more clearly and realize that the real Dr.Puey was knowledgeable, with broad academic interests and views. He cared about the social sciences, the humanities, science and technology. He really is one of most venerated persons in the history of Thailand,” Professor Dr.Chanrvit added.

The press conference also marks the launch of www.textbooksproject.com, an e-library website by the Foundation for the Promotion of Social Sciences and Humanities a book bank, and digitalized documents for public use. This website was developed in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Professor Dr.Puey Ungphakorn (1916 – 2016), founder of the Foundation for the Promotion of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the 50th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Promotion of Social Sciences and Humanities. The website launch will be presided over by Assistant Professor Thamrongsak Petchlert-anan, Director of Political Science, Rangsit University a committee member and Assistant Secretary of the Foundation.

An exhibition, “A Man Called Puey,” will display Dr.Puey’s life, work, and achievements. For the first time, Dr.Puey’s Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) as presented by King George VI of England will be display. His Ramon Magsaysay Award, seen as the Asian Nobel Prize, will also be in view. This exhibition invites Thai people, especially young ones to understand and take pride in the way that Dr.Puey’s work was internationally recognized. Dr.Puey genuinely contributed to society and the public interest.