Mr. Direk Kananurak

Former Mayor of Pattani Municipality for Five Consecutive Terms

Mr. Direk Kananurak (Sui-Rerk), former Mayor of Pattani Municipality, served five consecutive terms in office — each lasting five years, from 1949 to 1972 — amounting to more than 23 continuous years of public service. At the time (as recorded up to B.E. 2544 / 2001), this represented the longest mayoral tenure in Pattani Province’s history. He was widely regarded as a distinguished and influential leader whose invaluable contributions greatly advanced the development of Pattani in the areas of local administration, economic growth, education, and public welfare, earning him the enduring respect and admiration of the people.

Mr. Direk Kananurak was born on 9 December 1909 at 70 Pattani Phirom Road, Pattani Province. He was the only son of Khun Phithak Raya (Ban-Siew) and Mrs. Seng-Kim, daughter of Luang(Lord) Phat of Songkhla Province. He had four sisters: Mrs. Sui-Sim Parichayakorn, Mrs. Soi-Thong (Sui-Thong) Wattanayakorn, Mrs. Sui-Hong Parichayakorn, and Mrs. Walai (Sui-Ian) Wattanayakorn. Mr. Direk was also a grandson of Phra Chin Kananurak.

In his early education, Mr. Direk studied in Penang, Malaysia, for seven years. He first attended a convent school and later continued at St. Xavier’s School. He subsequently pursued further studies in Singapore for another two years, making a total of nine years of overseas education. This international background enabled him to become highly proficient in English, Chinese, and Malay. Upon returning to Thailand, he continued his Thai-language studies at Benjamarachutit School in Pattani Province.

After completing his education, Mr. Direk assisted his family in operating a tin mining business at the Mayo Bon Mine in Tham Thalu Subdistrict, Bannang Sata District, Yala Province, and later inherited the mining enterprise from his father. This experience became an important foundation that shaped his vision of Pattani in his administration and economic development.

Mr. Direk entered local politics in 1947, serving initially as a municipal councilor during the administration of Mr. Anan Kananurak, his cousin, who was then Mayor of Pattani. He later gained the trust and confidence of the people and was elected Mayor of Pattani Municipality for five consecutive terms, serving from 1949 to 1972 — more than two decades of devoted public service to his hometown.

Beyond his local administrative duties, in 1968 he was invited to serve as a member of the General Assembly of the United Thai People’s Party and also held the position of Chairman of the Pattani Provincial Branch Committee. These appointments reflected his broad recognition and respected leadership within national political circles.

Throughout his tenure as mayor, Mr. Direk initiated numerous important projects that brought tangible progress and prosperity to Pattani. Among his most notable achievements was the expansion of the city and the development of a new commercial district through the establishment of a modern marketplace on the site of the former prison grounds, now known as the Pattani Rama Cinema area and the Phiphit Road commercial center. These developments became vital foundations for Pattani’s economic growth and urban prosperity in subsequent years.

In the field of education, Mr.Direk played a vital role in advancing academic development in Southern Thailand. He was instrumental in initiating, advocating for, and coordinating with the government in the establishment of Prince of Songkla University, which was first founded in Pattani Province in 1968. He also requested his elder sister, Mrs. Sui Sim Parichayakorn, to donate her privately owned land for the construction of the university. This marked the origin of Prince of Songkla University, which has since grown into one of the leading universities in the region. The successful realization of this initiative stands as an immensely valuable and enduring contribution to Thai education, the significance of which

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Mayor Direk and the Family
Founders of Prince of Songkla University

Mr. Direk was a key force in advancing academic development in Southern Thailand. He observed that the government had plans to establish a regional university in Yala Province in order to expand the educational opportunities, according to a Cabinet resolution at that time.

However, Mayor Direk believed that Yala already had many educational institutions. Furthermore, at that time, Pattani was merely a transit city, a stopping point for people and travelers continuing on to Yala Province. If the city were to develop, the community and society would need to be strengthened, and the quality of education for local people in Pattani and nearby areas would also need improvement.

Therefore, Mr. Direk worked to push forward and coordinate with the government. He traveled to negotiate with Colonel Thanat Khoman (the Minister of Education at that time), for the reasons stated above. He also proposed that if the government approved the construction of a university in Pattani, Mr. Direk and his family would donate their private land for the benefit of the state and the public.

Eventually, in B.E. 2508 (1965), the Cabinet approved two key principles:

1. The establishment of a Southern University, with its central campus located in Rusamilae Subdistrict, Mueang District, Pattani Province. The Faculty of Engineering would be established first, with plans to establish additional faculties distributed across various southern provinces, such as:
   1. A Faculty of Education and a Faculty of Political Science at Khao Tum Subdistrict, Mueang District, Yala Province.
   2. A Faculty of Medicine at Khao Rup Chang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Songkhla Province.
   3. A Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, among others.

In B.E. 2511 (1968), the government approved the establishment of Prince of Songkla University in Pattani Province. At that time, it was called the “Southern University.” Mr. Direk also requested that Mrs. Sui Sim, his eldest sister, donate 31 Rai of her private land (12.25 acres ≈ 4.96 hectares) in Rusamilae Subdistrict for the construction of the Southern University. Later, an additional 26.9 Rai (10.64 acres ≈ 4.30 hectares) of land from Mrs.Sui Sim, Mr.Direk’s eldiest sister, were donated for the foundation of the University.

Before construction began, Mrs. Sroi Thong (Tan Sui Thong), Mr. Direk’s elder sister, laid the foundation stone.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously bestowed the name “Songklanagarind” (“Prince of Songkla”).

This marked the origin of Prince of Songkla University, a leading university of the region that has achieved great success and is regarded as an invaluable contribution to Thai education, continuing to this day.

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In his family life, Mr. Direk married Miss Duangduen Wattanayakorn, daughter of Mrs. Pao-Liang Wattanayakorn and granddaughter of Luang Sunthorn Sitthiloha. Miss Duangduen was also the younger sister of Khun Thamrongphanphakdi. Together they had five children:

1. Mr. Kusol Kananurak
   (married to Mrs. Tuangthip Suebsaeng)
2. Dr. Sukon Mungkarndee
   (married to Dr. Thatchai Mungkarndee, Director-General of the Department of Health)
3. Mr. Pinit Kananurak
   (married to Mrs. Kingkan, née Karoonjaras)
4. Mrs. Suwanna Wattanayakorn
   (married to Mr. Somporn Wattanayakorn, son of Khunthamrongphanphakdi [Thamrong Wattanayakorn] and Mrs. Thamrongphanphakdi [Soi-Thong Wattanayakorn])
5. Mr. Samart Kananurak

Mr. Direk Kananurak passed away on 5 February 1972. His ashes were interred at the royally granted Kananurak family cemetery in Pattani, where they remain to this day. Though many decades have passed since his death, his virtues, foresight, and enduring contributions to the city of Pattani continue to stand prominently and are remembered with profound respect and gratitude by later generations.

Mr. Direk Kananurak was bestowedthe highly prestigious Fourth Class of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (Chaturatha Bhorn Chang Phueak) together with Mr. Banharn Silpa-archa, former Prime Minister of Thailand, on 31 December 1968. The conferment was officially announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette, Volume 85, Part 122, Page 1029, recognizing him as an individual who had rendered distinguished and exceptional service to the Kingdom and the public administration.

The Chaturatha Bhorn Chang Phueak is the Fourth Class of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, one of Thailand’s most honorable royal decorations bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exemplary public service and significant contributions to the nation. The rank stands above the Fifth Class (Benjamaporn) and below the Third Class (Tritaporn). The decoration consists of an insignia suspended from a ribbon with a rosette ornament, traditionally worn on the left breast for male recipients.