Anussorn Thavisin, former Editor-in-Chief of the Bangkok World afternoon newspaper, passed away peacefully at his home in Soi Suanphlu, Bangkok yesterday morning. He was 79 years old.
Anussorn was a true gentleman and a terrific colleague with a lovely sense of humour. He was highly respected throughout Thailand and in the world of journalism, particularly amongst his peers at the Bangkok Post and Bangkok World.
Known for his calm demeanour, he possessed a deep knowledge of Thai culture but was also very well informed regarding international news.
Born on April 7, 1943, Anussorn spent most of his formative years in the United Kingdom where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering & Electronics from the University of Manchester in 1969.
One of his great exploits which made him quite a celebrity was that, upon his graduation from university, he and two English friends drove a Land Rover overland from England back home to Bangkok — a trip which took him the better part of a year.
Anussorn: Respected by peers
Back in Thailand, he joined the Bangkok Post newspaper as a Sub-Editor in 1971 and quickly rose through the ranks to become the Chief Sub-Editor and then Assistant Editor in 1980.
After taking on significant responsibilities at both the Bangkok Post and Bangkok World, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Bangkok World in 1993, Editor of the Post Weekly Review in 1997 and Managing Editor of Student Weekly in 2002.
His role at the Post went beyond that of the newspapers. For decades Anussorn played a key role in promoting the programmes of the Phud Hong Leper Foundation and the Bangkok Post Foundation.
Anussorn was not a person who simply sat on these committees and expressed his views, regularly travelling upcountry with Prapaipan Rathamarit to visit lepers and school children and assess their eligibility for funding from the two foundations but also wrote and edited reports for them.
He also sponsored disadvantaged children and carried on his work with these two foundations long after he officially retired.
Anussorn is survived by his wife, Auratai Thavisin, two sons and a daughter-in-law. His fu- neral rites commence today at Wat Thep Sirintharawat, with the bathing rites at 4pm followed by prayers at 6pm. Regular evening prayers will take place each day at 6pm until next Monday. The cremation will be on Tuesday, Oct 11 at 5pm.