Veteran journalist Yuwadee dies at 71
Yuwadee Tunyasiri, a former senior reporter at the Bangkok Post, died peacefully early yesterday.
She was pronounced dead at 3.30am at Phramongkutklao Hospital where she was receiving treatment for abdominal bleeding. She was 71.
She is survived by her husband, former permanent secretary for defence Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri and her son.
Regarded as the doyenne of Thai politics, Yuwadee, widely known as Jae Yu, had a career spanning almost 50 years and met with 20 prime ministers.
She was known for her outspokenness and respected for her unfailing professional integrity and commitment.
A graduate in journalism from Thammasat University, Yuwadee later admitted that the idea of pursuing a career as a reporter initially had not crossed her mind, and that her family wanted her to work as a government official.
“It may have been predestined. I never thought of becoming a reporter, but I still managed to make it as a professional reporter,” Yuwadee once told fellow journalists.
Yuwadee started out at the now defunct Bangkok World newspaper before working at the Bangkok Post as a reporter based at Government House. When she retired at 60, she got a contract to continue to work as a freelance reporter for several more years.
As a veteran Bangkok Post reporter, Yuwadee contributed tirelessly to the newspaper. She was never afraid to make her point with editors, and directed tough questions to political leaders.
“This career allows us to be informed of the news before others are. I am a straightforward person and want the people to know as much as I do,” she once said.
Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon, who came to power as an outsider prime minister after an election in early 1992 following the 1991 coup, faced a question from Yuwadee during a media interview when she asked how long he would remain in power.
In a bid to defuse the tension, Gen Suchinda replied with: “Does this sweet sound come from the wife of a soldier?”
And former prime minister, Anand Panyarachun, was warned about “Jae Yu” upon assuming the premiership, a source said.
Still, her fellow reporters and many others agreed that Yuwadee had maintained her professional integrity and no one doubted her commitment to the job.
In an unfortunate twist at the end of her career, Yuwadee was denied entry to Government House three months ago, where she had worked for more than three decades after the military government toughened regulations on media reporters. Journalists who have no accreditation documents from their employers are no longer permitted into the building.
Even if you did not know her, she stood out. When Yuwadee (Jae Yu) Tunyasiri walked into the newsroom, she had a commanding presence. The rule of thumb in the newsroom was that if she was silent, and appeared to be brooding — watch out and stay out of her way. If she was boisterous, her voice booming — all was okay.
When I joined the Bangkok Post in 1980, Jae Yu had already built up a reputation as the Dragon Lady of the newspaper. She had already been at the Post for 12 years covering the military beat and Government House.
When I joined the news desk in 1982 as a news rewriter, my job was to take notes and write stories for reporters who filed their reports on the phone. I will never forget my first encounter with Jae Yu. I was on the weekend shift. The news editor had not yet arrived and I was the only one around. The phone rang and Jae Yu was on the line:
“Who is this?” she asked. “It’s Pichai krub. I am the new rewriter,” I answered. “Where’s Veera (Prateepchaikul),” she barked. “He’s not here yet krub. Can I take your story?” I answered.
Jae Yu hung up the phone.
She did not trust a rookie with her story. And she did this to me twice when I was the only one on the desk. When I asked my boss at the time what should I do, he simply shrugged, and smiled. Then on another weekend shift, when I answered her call she reluctantly said: “Okay take this down carefully and write it properly.”
But once you gained her trust, and she realised you could write her story properly, she was a fountain of information and detail. Often in the newsroom, we would gather around her as she told us off-the-record stories of prime ministers, cabinet members, politicians and generals. It was during these chats and banter, often prompting laughter, that it was clear that while the Dragon Lady could be tough and give you an earful, she had a good and gentle heart.
Over the years her reputation at Government House grew. And it is no surprise that she became leader of the pack (of journalists) at the Sparrows’ Nest (Press Room) at Government House. I’m not sure when the Dragon Lady transformed into the Godmother of Government House. But they were one and the same.
Because of her seniority, but more so I believe because of the force of her personality and integrity, she was the person other reporters relied on to ask the tough or sensitive questions they did not want to ask themselves.
She was often the first to fire questions. And indeed there were times certain prime ministers were not impressed by the direct questioning. Generals, even those who had staged coups, were not spared. But as far as Jae Yu was concerned, she had a job to do as a reporter — to ask questions.
Jae Yu worked as a reporter for the Bangkok Post for 38 years. There is no doubt that she loved the Post. I remember the day when the newspaper’s long-time editor, Theh Chongkhadikij, announced that he had left to join our competitor, The Nation. The announcement sent shock waves through the company, but more so in the newsroom.
I was news editor at the time and clearly remember seeing Jae Yu walk into the newsroom. She walked up to me, shaking her head. Clearly she had difficulty holding back tears and said: “Why? Why did he do this to us?” I had no answer but I could see that she was torn between deep loyalty to her editor with whom she was very close, and the newspaper which she loved.
Her concern for the newspaper did not end there. On a number of occasions when I was editor of the Bangkok Post, Jae Yu would walk into my room or just call my mobile, to tell me tidbits of information, off the record of course. But she would also express her views of what was wrong with “our newspaper”, how we could improve and what policies we should pursue.
And she did this each time we met even after her retirement. We did not always agree but she gave her views nonetheless because she cared for the Bangkok Post. And any newspaper with staff who love and are loyal to the organisation like Ja Yu, should count their blessings. Such staff must be cherished, such loyalty nurtured.
While Jae Yu’s love for the newspaper was strong, her devotion to the craft of reporting was stronger. She refused offers to “come inside” and assume a leadership role in directing the news. That love went beyond the Bangkok Post. Even when she retired from the newspaper, she continued to work as a freelancer doing what she loved — reporting the news. And it is no surprise even as a freelancer, she was still respected and revered as the Godmother of Government House.
Jae Yu has left us suddenly. We will miss her swagger in the newsroom and especially at Government House. We will miss her booming voice and crisp questions. I will personally miss her straightforward views and words of advice and care. Jae Yu is no longer with us, but for so many people who knew her, who were touched by her personality, she will always be remembered.
She will always be in our hearts.
PICHAI CHUENSUKSAWADI
Former Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing and
Former Editor of the Bangkok Post