5 centenarians among mums honoured
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OUTSTANDING WOMEN REWARDED UNDER SEVERAL CATEGORIES TO MARK MOTHER'S DAY
FIVE CENTENARIANS have been named among the country’s outstanding mothers who will receive awards from HRH Princess Somsavali today.
The presentation ceremony will be held at Mahidol University’s Salaya campus this morning to mark Mother’s Day, which falls on August 12, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s birthday.
“We have organised Mother’s Day activities for 30 consecutive years now,” the university’s vice president, Prof Pornchai Mulpruek, said yesterday.
He said the mothers this year came from various categories, each carefully chosen by selection committees.
The Institute for Population and Social Research, for example, named the five outstanding mothers for the Centenarian Mother’s category from 86 nominees.
“They are great examples for younger generations,” said the institute’s director, Assoc Prof Sureeporn Punpuing. She said their long life also provided valuable demographic information, and tips on good lifestyles and healthcare.
The honoured centenarians are Pan Thavorn, 104; Longma Buklo, 104; Tongkam Hemwong, 103; Long Son-prom, 102; and Bu-nga Temiyaputra, 100.
“I was married to a soldier for 80 years,” Bu-nga said. “When my husband’s salary was not enough, I made desserts for sale.”
Her husband died eight years ago and is survived by his wife, nine children and 25 grandchildren.
Bu-nga’s dedication is rewarding and her children are leading successful and happy lives.
Pornchai said the selection panels had examined the merits of the nominees – not just from available records but also in person. “They interviewed the nominees before making their final decisions,” he said.
The three other categories for the honoured mothers are Mae Su Cheewit (Mothers with Fighting Spirit); Mae Anurak Singwaedlomv (Environ-ment Caring Mothers); and Mae Jit Sai Jai See Khao (Religious Mothers).
The Mae Su Cheewit category is subdivided into two main features, mothers of able-bodied offspring and mothers of children with special needs.
The first group comprises Som-samorn Keereeta, Kingkaeo Phonchai, Deuan Manohrom, Sawai Singchu, and Siam Rueanthongdee. The second group comprises Wai Bunton, Sapina Hatkajay, and Niphaporn Kaeoket.
Kingkaeo, who is physically challenged, is proud to have raised good children. “I have two children. One of them is now a monk,” she said.
She added that whenever her children felt discouraged, she reminded them to look at her.
Regardless of how other people view her, Kingkaeo has never seen herself as a burden. “I can earn a living as a seamstress. I am strong,” she said.
The Mae Anurak Singwaedlom award recipients are Rit Bunprakop, Dusita Chanachaiwiboonwat, and Walee Suatmaalai. The Mae Jit Sai Jai Si Khao award recipients are Prangthip Banluerit, Phuangphen Intharawisit, and Suda Haqeemee.
