HOT Magazine first had the pleasure of speaking with Khun Sumanee Guna-Kasem back in September of last year. For those that don’t know her, Khun Sumanee is a well-known Thai Socialite, business woman and one of the most prolific collectors of antiques in Thailand. Her collection’s value has been estimated in the billions of baht. The world’s high profile auction houses know her well and she once famously outbid the Sultan of Brunei on a piece she had to have for her collection.
Her father started his career as a policeman but advanced in Government, so much so that by the time war broke out in Viet Nam he was sent to Saigon as Thailand’s Ambassador. While he was in Saigon Khun Sumanee was sent to England to further her studies.
In 1962 Khun Suminee married Pracha Guna-Kasem who was working for Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. Pracha’s first foreign posting was to Cairo where they spent two years. They then moved to Hong Kong where Pracha was posted as Thailand’s Consul General spending three and a half years there.
From Hong Kong they were sent to the United States where for six years her husband was Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Khun Sumanee says that for her husband it felt like home as he had received his Doctorate in Philosophy from Yale University after attending Oxford on scholarship.
Khun Sumanee enjoyed her time in New York and became acquainted with many famous people including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.
After New York Khun Prascha was sent to Geneva as Thailand’s Ambassador. It is here that she purchased many of her most extraordinary Jewelry pieces from the world’s best known auction houses. Prascha’s final Ambassadorial posting was to France and Algeria.
Khun Sumanee lives in a ten story building with a personal staff of 50. The building was a gift to her from her father almost 50 years ago, shortly after she wed. She recounts that back then foundations weren’t made of steel and cement rather they used hard woods. She remembers her mother going down to the Chao Phraya River to meet the barges carrying some of the 5,000 teak logs that were harvested in the north of Thailand for their building’s foundation.
Fourteen years ago she and her husband set up a foundation called the Maneemondcha Foundation which provides scholarships for underprivileged Thai’s. Because of her father’s love for dogs, as does she, the foundation also looks after 800 dogs in Thailand. Khun Sumanee has 5 dogs herself, each with their own nanny.
It is about charity that we have come to speak with Khun Sumanee again.
HOT Magazine: Khun Sumanee, your family has always seen the importance of giving back to the community. As a young girl, the daughter of a diplomat, you lived through World War ll and at one time were forced to spend 7 days, with little to eat, in a handmade bunker in Penang Malaysia. At what age did you personally feel the responsibility to help others less fortunate than yourself?
Khun Sumanee: Since my childhood, I was living a life in many countries, seeing various cultures, having lots of friends from different backgrounds and countries, etc. I don’t know if there was an exact time when I felt that I should help others, however, I knew that I was experiencing a privileged lifestyle unlike most people and from that I began to want to help other human beings and animal of all kinds whenever I could.
HOT Magazine: Your husband, His Excellency Dr. Pracha Guna-Kasem, served six years as Thailand’s permanent representative to the United Nations and was then posted to many other countries as Thailand Ambassador as well as holding senior positions as under-secretary of the Foreign Ministry and Deputy Foreign Minister. He later became a politician in the Banharn and Thaksin Regime’s. Dedicating his life to the betterment of his fellow Thai, can you tell us a little of what his views were on helping others through charity?
Khun Sumanee: Basically, my husband felt the same about giving back to the community as I did. We both wanted to see the people of our country grow and prosper. Further to this, we both felt very strongly that he was helping all Thais through his work in the diplomatic service.
HOT Magazine: You have your own charity organization called the Maneemoncha charity project, can you tell us about it and who the beneficiaries are of your charitable giving?
Khun Sumanee: I am extremely fortunate for the opportunity to create a charity. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to give to the community. My family’s Maneemondcha Foundation is primarily designed to further education, including providing scholarships, for the ‘less fortunate’ of Thailand’s younger generation. Children, who may otherwise not have been able to acquire certain skills and knowledge, will therefore be better prepared to lead productive and enjoyable lives. The family agreed that this issue is also necessary to further Thailand in a successful and prosperous way. My father always said ‘knowledge is the greatest treasure’ and this is so true. Maneemondcha is my way of sharing in a positive and respectful way.
HOT Magazine: You mentioned to us last year that both you and your father shared a love for animals and because of that shared love you felt it important to look after many of Bangkok’s homeless and helpless street dogs and cats. Can you tell us more about that?
Khun Sumanee: My father and I had a very strong bond and a mutual love of all animals. Maneemondcha is committed to the care and future well-being of Bangkok’s stray animals. Sadly, there are too many homeless dogs and cats living on the streets. Maneemondcha aims to improve their quality of life in whatever way possible. I am aware how important this was to my father and I know that any efforts on my part would please him so much.
HOT Magazine: Through all of your husband postings and your travel around the world, you have amassed what has been described as one of the largest private collections of beautiful art, jewels and antique furnishings in Thailand. What are your thoughts on what will become of it upon your passing?
Khun Sumanee: One day soon my collection of Arts and Antique Furnishings as well as the jewelries will go to several people who appreciate them. Our Foundation Maneemondcha will get all the benefits and be able to support charity projects as planned to the fullest, not forgetting all the people and their families who have served me and my family to the end, they will have first priority.
HOT Magazine: Khun Sumanee, once again, thank you for being so gracious with your time.