Puey Ungphakorn

Thai economist who redesigned Southeast Asia's financial systems while maintaining incorruptible integrity

Dr. Puey Ungphakorn (1916-1999), the architect of modern Thailand's economy, demonstrated how technocratic leadership could combat corruption. As Governor of the Bank of Thailand (1959-1971), he pioneered agricultural credit systems that lifted millions from poverty while refusing all bribes - a radical stance during the Cold War era.

His Three Pillars Philosophy (economic stability, social equity, environmental balance) predated UN Sustainable Development Goals by 40 years. After the 1973 student uprising, Puey risked his life to mediate between military junta and protestors, later establishing Thailand's first independent anti-corruption agency.

Most remarkably, Puey rejected all luxury - living in a modest wooden house despite handling billions. He introduced 'barefoot economics', training village grandmothers in inflation tracking using local market baskets. This grassroots approach became a model for ASEAN's 1997 financial crisis recovery.