Best known by the general public for his Thai-English dictionary, co-authored with Prof. Sathienpong Wannapok (เสฐียรพงษ์ วรรณปก), a fellow of the Royal Institute. The Third Edition of the dictionary is the finest Thai-English dictionary of recent years.
A native of New York, Domnern Garden later became a naturalized Thai citizen. He graduated from Harvard Law School and was admitted to the Thai bar. Soon after, he was recruited by Ina Jorgensen to work at Jorgensen & Co., the premier intellectual property law firm in Thailand. Today the firm is known as Domnern Somgiat & Boonma. Domnern retired a number of years ago, but the firm continues to be a giant in local IP law, with 60% of patent applications and 20% of trademark applications in Thailand made through the firm.
Domnern translated the award-winning short story collection ฟ้าบ่กั้น by National Artist Khamsingh Srinawk (คำสิงห์ ศรีนอก), written under the pen name ลาว คำหอม, into English with the title The Politician and Other Stories. He also formerly taught law at Thammasat University.
Rest in peace.
Sources:
Matichon, January 19, 2009
Domnern Somgiat & Boonma
In Memoriam: Domnern Garden
Photograph from dsb.co.th
Tribute to Mr. Garden.
ReplyDeleteI am the one who translated "The Politician and Other Thai stories" into Sinhala. I met Khamsing and his family in 2004. I am an Attorney at law in Si Lanka.
I tried to meet Mr. Garden at the time, but failed. Still I can remember that , after visiting the Thammasath university Khamsing's elder daughter, myself and my wife had a chat on Mr. Garden sitting at the front bench of the University. Today only I came to know his death. It made me sorrowful feelings.
we are Catholics. may he rest in peace
Lal Perera,Sri Lanka
lalperera1@hotmail.com