Thairath Community Mourns the Passing of Khun Ying Praneet Sin Vacharapol
The Thairath community has suffered a major loss with the passing of Khun Ying Praneet Sin Vacharapol, Chairperson of Vacharapol Co., Ltd. (Thairath Newspaper) and Chairperson of the Thairath Foundation. She was the supreme leader of the giant media group within the Thairath Group, succeeding her husband, Mr. Kamphon Vacharapol, the founder of Thairath Newspaper. She had overseen the overall management and main policies of the Thairath Newspaper and affiliated media continuously since 1996 until now.
The loss of the top leader of the Thairath Group, Thailand’s number one media outlet, was announced on the morning of 13 Nov after Khun Ying Praneet Sin had been receiving treatment for age-related illness at Vichaiyut Hospital for some time, alternating with rest at her residence on Sukhothai 5, Sukhothai Road, Suan Chitlada, Dusit District, Bangkok. She peacefully passed away on the morning of 13 Nov at the age of 94.
The funeral arrangements for Khun Ying Praneet Sin Vacharapol include a water-pouring ceremony on Sunday, 15 Nov at the first floor of Building 1, Thairath Newspaper, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, starting from 3:00 p.m. The royal bathing rite will be held at 5:00 p.m., followed by Buddhist funeral chanting ceremonies on 15, 16, and 17 Nov at 7:00 p.m. The full chanting period will run from 18 Nov to 1 Dec 2026 at 7:00 p.m., after which the body will be kept for 100 days awaiting the royal cremation.
Khun Ying Praneet Sin Vacharapol (née Thummanon) was born on 24 Oct 1932. Her father was Mr. Jamnian and her mother was Mrs. Lamai Thummanon. She had nine siblings from the same parents. She married Mr. Kamphon Vacharapol, the founder of Thairath Newspaper, on 5 Mar 1950. They had three children: Mrs. Yingluck Vacharapol, Mr. Sarawut Vacharapol, and Mrs. Intira Vacharapol.
Regarding royal decorations awarded for her meritorious service: in 1991, she received the Order of Chula Chom Klao (Fourth Class); in 2005, the Second Class of the Order of Chula Chom Klao (Thutiya Chula Chom Klao - Inner Court); in 2013, the highest class of the Order of the White Elephant (Maha Paramaphorn Chang Phueak); in 2003, the highest class of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (Maha Vajira Mongkut); and in 1997, the First Class of the Order of Direkgunabhorn (Pathom Direkgunabhorn).
Throughout their marriage, Khun Ying Praneet Sin Vacharapol was known as a devoted wife and true life partner to Mr. Kamphon Vacharapol, affectionately called “Director Kamphon” by the Thairath community. She was a loving wife who raised and educated their children while working hard alongside him. This period marked the foundation of their daily newspaper—from the early "Khao Phap" Newspaper to "Siang Ang Thong," with offices in Bang Lamphu—until the successful launch of "Thairath" Newspaper. The first issue of "Thairath" was published on 25 Dec 1962 under Mr. Kamphon’s leadership and rapidly grew to revolutionize Thai print media, eventually expanding their empire to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, where it remains today.
Within the Thairath staff community, whether from the pioneering days or the present, everyone knew Khun Ying Praneet Sin as a woman of few words, kind heart, and constant smile. She was compassionate to all employees at every level. Another lasting image is her leadership during major floods and disasters nationwide, where she would personally lead many staff in packing relief bags and organizing convoy deliveries to affected areas, demonstrating her care and concern for fellow citizens. Her passing is thus a profound loss to the Thairath family.
