The passing of Khunying Praneet Sin Wacharapol, chairperson of Wacharapol Co., Ltd. (Thairath Newspaper) and chairperson of the Thairath Foundation, marks a significant and profound loss for the Thairath community. She was the supreme leader of the major media conglomerate in the Thairath Group, succeeding her husband Kamphon Wacharapol, the founder of Thairath Newspaper. Since 1996, she had continuously overseen the overall management and core policies of the Thairath newspaper and the affiliated Thairath Group media outlets.
The loss of the top leader of the Thairath Group, Thailand's number one media conglomerate, was announced on the morning of 13 Nov after Khunying Praneet Sin had been receiving treatment for age-related illness at Vichaiyut Hospital for some time. She alternated rest between the hospital and her residence at Sukhothai 5 Alley, Sukhothai Road, Suan Chitlada Subdistrict, Dusit District, Bangkok. On the morning of 13 Nov, she passed away peacefully at the age of 94.
The funeral arrangements for Khunying Praneet Sin Wacharapol include a water-pouring ceremony on Sunday, 15 Nov at the first floor of Building 1, Thairath Newspaper, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, starting at 3:00 p.m. The royal bathing rite will be held at 5:00 p.m., followed by Buddhist chanting and memorial services on 16-17 Nov at 7:00 p.m. Daily Buddhist chanting will continue from 18 Nov to 1 Dec 2026 at 7:00 p.m. The urn will be kept for 100 days awaiting the royal cremation ceremony.
Khunying Praneet Sin Wacharapol (née Thummanon) was born on 24 Oct 1932 to father Mr. Jamnian and mother Mrs. Lamai Thummanon. She had nine full siblings. She married Kamphon Wacharapol, founder of Thairath Newspaper, on 5 Mar 1950. They had three children: Mrs. Yingluck Wacharapol, Mr. Sarawut Wacharapol, and Mrs. Intira Wacharapol.
Throughout her life, Khunying Praneet Sin Wacharapol received numerous royal decorations in recognition of her meritorious deeds, including: in 1991, the Order of Chula Chom Klao; in 2005, the 2nd Class Knight Commander of the Order of Chula Chom Klao (T.J.), Royal Household Division; in 2013, the highest class of the Order of the White Elephant (M.P.Ch.); in 2003, the highest class of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (M.W.M.); and in 1997, the 1st Class of the Order of Direkgunabhorn (P.P.).
During her marriage, Khunying Praneet Sin was truly a life partner and spiritual companion to Kamphon Wacharapol, known to Thairath staff as "Director Kamphon." She was a devoted wife who nurtured and raised their children while working hard alongside Kamphon during the early days of establishing the daily newspaper. They started with the "Khao Phap" newspaper and "Siang Ang Thong" with offices in Bang Lamphu, eventually succeeding with the launch of the first edition of "Thairath" newspaper on 25 Dec 1962 under Kamphon Wacharapol's leadership. The newspaper rapidly grew, setting new standards in Thai print media and expanding its headquarters to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, where it remains today.
Among Thairath employees, from the pioneering generation to the present day, Khunying Praneet Sin was known as a quiet, kind-hearted woman who always smiled and showed compassion to staff at all levels. Another enduring memory for the Thairath community is that during major floods or national disasters, she led many employees in assembling relief bags and organizing truck convoys to distribute aid to affected areas. Her compassion and concern for fellow citizens made her loss a deeply significant one for the entire Thairath community.