Boonpong Sirivejjabhandu

Boonpong Sirivejjabhandu was a Thai businessman, formerly Kanchanaburi mayor and Seri Thai captain who smuggled life-saving supplies to the POWs of Tamarkan, while they were building the Death Railway between Bangkok and Rangoon during World War II. See also Philip Toosey.

Although Thailand made peace with the Japanese after being invaded, there was an active underground movement. One grateful prisoner recalls Boonpong was the merchant with the lowest prices and the smallest mark up. However he performed other services risking his life and those of his family. He lent money, provided extra medicines and ran messages. With access to medicines, the death rate of the prisoners was reduced from five a day in May 1943 to one a week by the following November.

After the war was over Boonpong was attacked by Thai police in some mistaken retribution. Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop who had been also been a hero of the prisoners, ordered a report on 'the condition of Mr. Boonpong, injured Thai civilian, who had done so much for prisoners of war.’ In 1947 he was in financial difficulties and so a POW association on hearing of it organised a collection for him. Shortly after Boonpong started Boonpong Bus Company. In 1948 he was awarded the MBE by the British Government [ [http://www.the-spiceislands.com/Thailand/boonpong.htm Biography] ] .

Later an Australian medical scholarship was named in honor of him and Sir Edward Dunlop. The documentary film “The Quiet Lions” is about both of them. Boonpong also figures prominently in "Beyond the Bamboo Screen", a collection of anecdotes by Scottish PoWs.

References

* [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sunday/20051023/index.php?news=column_18702067.html BOOKS: Three cheers for the colonel]