[Tlc] David Wyatt Memorial

[justinm at ucr.edu]

Dear Members,

Here is description of Prof. Wyatt's memorials (Chiang Mai and
Bangkok) from Dr. Peter Skilling.

Thank you,
justin

Memorials for David Kent Wyatt (1937-2006) – a brief report
from Siam

*Chiang Mai

Trasvin Jittidecharak and twelve others performed dana and
pamsukala for David Wyatt at Wat Pa Dara Bhirom on November 29.

*Krung Thep Mahanakhon

On the morning of 30 November, BE 2549/CE 2006 – tenth day of
the waxing moon, first lunar month of the Thai calendar – a
memorial ‘sanghadana’ was held at Sala 13, Wat Makut
Kasatriyaram. Dr. Prasert Na Na opened the ceremony by
lighting the candles in front of a portrait of Achan Wyatt.
Members of the gathering then presented Sanghadana to five monks.

The ceremony was attended by  Than Phuying  Varayupha
Snidvongse Na Ayutthaya, Dr. Charnvit Kasetsiri, M.R. Rucaya
Abhakron, Wutthichi Mulsilp, Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Dr.
Michael J. Montesano, Peter Skilling, Kantika Si-udom, Uraiwan
Kornwitthayasin, Thongchai Likitpornsawan, and others.

In the afternoon of the same day a memorial was held at the
National Archives Office on Samsen Road, organized by the
Association of Thai Archives together with the National
Archives Office and The Historical Society Under the Royal
Patronage of H.R.H.Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The
announcer was Achan Somrit Luechai.

1. Ramleuk

Five speakers gave brief statements of condolence, as follows:

1) Wutthichai Mulsilp, representing The Historical Society.
2) Director of the National Archives Office
3) A representative of the Association of Thai Archives.
4) Dr. Sunait Chutintaranon, on behalf of the Departement of
History, Chulalongkorn University.
5) Dr. Thanet  Arpornsuwan, on behelf of historians of
Thammasat University.

2. Silence

Participants and audience stood for one minute’s silent
recollection of Achan Wyatt and his ‘khunupakara’.

3. Sevana

Kantika Si-udom chaired the Sevana, ‘David K. Wyatt and His
Contributions to the History and Archives of Thailand.’ There
were five speakers, in the following order:
 
1) Dr. Thamsook Numnont 

2) Dr. Charnvit Kasetsiri

3) Dr. Sunait Chutintaranon

4) Chiranan Pitpreecha

5) Tavatchai Tangsirivanich

The speakers shared their personal memories of Achan Wyatt and
assessed the significance of his work. Achan Wyatt’s
insistence of the use of original sources, his range of
interests and his facility in any number of languages, his
independent spirit, his unfailing humour and his generosity
with his students came though strongly in the tributes. The
importance of his ‘Thailand - A Short History’ was discussed,
and it was pointed out that nothing like it exists in the Thai
Language. A feature on Achan in the Sunday Nation has
described him as a ‘pathfinder’ and a ‘pioneer in Siamese
cultural studies’, which are certainly apt descriptions.

At the end of the Sevana, Dr. Charnvit announced the
establishment of a ‘David Wyatt fund’, to be chaired by
Thanphuying Varayupha, to raise funds for activities related
to the study of Siamese history and archives. Members of the
gathering initiated the fund with generous offerings.

The handout included a select bibliography of over sixty
titles prepared by Tavatchai Tangsirivanich, who also prepared
a small exhibit of Wyatt’s writings.

Despite the short notice the events were very well arranged
and well attended. They were a moving tribute to ‘the pathfinder’.

Throughout the Sevana, Chiranan Pitpreecha shared photos of
Achan Wyatt via Powerpoint.

At the end of the Sevana, Dr. Charnvit announced the
establishment of a ‘David Wyatt fund’, to be chaired by
Thanphuying Varayupha, to raise funds for activities related
to the study of Siamese history and archives. Members of the
gathering initiated the fund with generous offerings.

The handout included a select bibliography of over sixty
titles prepared by Tavatchai Tangsirivanich, who also prepared
a small exhibit of Wyatt’s writings.

Despite the short notice the events were very well arranged
and well attended. They were a moving tribute to the pathfinder.

Reported by Peter Skilling, Bangkok

(Note: I apologize for any inaccuracies and for any
misspellings of names for which I do not know individual
preferred spellings.)


______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu