This is a biography of Prasobsuk Sukkit compiled by the famous Papilionidae expert ad good friend Adam Cotton:
Prasobsuk Sukkit (known as Ting) was born on 14th October 1960 in Sri Racha, Chonburi Province, Thailand. He was the youngest son of Mana Sukkit, a teacher at Assumption College, Sri Racha, who built up a large Thai butterfly collection in the 1970s. Ting caught the 'butterfly bug' from his father, and it became not only his hobby but his job and life's work. Over the years between then and 2017 Ting collected butterflies and other insects all over Thailand as well as many countries both in SE Asia and further afield. He went as far west as Kashmir and India/Nepal and eastwards to PNG and New Britain, as well as collecting in Sumatra, Borneo and Belitung among other places in Indonesia. Almost all of the Burmese material on the market over the past 15 years was obtained by him.
In Thailand he discovered many new butterfly records, and even last year found some new records in Betong, Yala Province, such as a species of Allotinus (Lycaenidae) never previously found in Thailand. He first discovered Teinopalpus imperialis in Fang, north of Chiang Mai and was co-author in the description of the population as a new subspecies, however it is not significantly different to imperatrix from nearby Shan States, Burma.
Many species and subspecies of insects have been named after him, among them Eupatorus sukkiti, Euthalia prasobsuki, Meandrusa lachinus sukkiti and many more. Perhaps some of the beetle collectors can add more names to this list.
I first met Ting in Chiang Dao, north of Chiang Mai, in July 1980. We were both there collecting butterflies and when we met we immediately got on well, my being only a year or so older than him. He was an extremely kind and friendly person, and we spent the next couple of weeks travelling across Thailand together to several butterfly localities. We ended up going on the midnight train (standing room only in 3rd class) from Phitsanulok to Bangkok and then on to visit his father in Sri Racha. We have been close friends ever since then, and in the past few years he spent a lot of time staying at my house whenever he was in Chiang Mai, and became an 'Uncle' to my son who turned 7 a month ago today. It speaks volumes for Ting's character that after he discovered he had terminal cancer in November and only had couple of months to live he wanted to stay with us to celebrate my son's birthday before going back home for the final time.
Over many years he built up a very large collection of butterflies, mainly from Thailand. A few years ago he gave me his Papilionidae specimens which have already been integrated into my collection, and before he went home he entrusted the remaining families to myself and Yutaka Inayoshi to look after and study. We hope to eventually make the collection available to everyone online, and it will be sent to a good museum in due course.
Adam.
PS. I compiled a list of the recorded collecting locations based mainly on specimens of Papilionidae which Ting collected. I think it is worth reproducing here to show how prolific he was:
31 Mar 1976 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
4 Mar 1978 Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai
16 Oct 1978 Klong Na Kha, Ranong
6 Mar 1979 Ranau, Sabah
7-11 Mar 1979 Poring, Sabah
12 Mar 1979 Lohan, Sabah
15-17 Mar 1979 Baduka Baru, Keningau, Sabah
20-23 Mar 1979 Poring, Sabah
31 Mar 1979 Klong Na Kha, Ranong
18 Oct 1979 Phu Kieo, Chaiyaphum
24 Mar 1980 Klong Na Kha, Ranong
7 Apr 1980 Klong Na Kha, Ranong
19 May 1980 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
20 Jun 1980 Klong Na Kha, Ranong
21 Jun 1980 Km 5, Mamut-Poring Rd, Sabah
22-26 Jun 1980 Klong Na Kha, Ranong
11 Jul 1980 Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai
17 Jul 1980 Doi Musoe, Tak
20 Jul 1980 Poi Waterfall, Phitsanulok
27-29 Jul 1980 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
12, 22 Aug 1980 Pokhara, Nepal
3-10 Sep 1980 Rohtang Pass, NW India
8 Sep 1980 Manali, NW India
18 Sep-4 Oct 1980 Nilgiris, S India
9 Oct 1980 Mysore, S India
15 Jan 1981 Khao Chong, Trang
1, 6 Mar 1981 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
24-26 Mar 1981 Phu Khieo, Chaiyaphum
20 Aug 1981 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
12 Jan 1982 Khao Chong, Trang
2 Mar 1982 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
21 Mar 1982 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
1 Apr 1982 Khao Paw Ta, Surat Thani
18 Apr 1982 Mae Hong Son
19-20 Jun 1982 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
23 Jun 1982 Khao Kieo, Chonburi
20 Jan 1983 Khao Chong, Trang
14 Mar 1983 Khao Paw Ta, Surat Thani
6 Jul 1983 Sing Gompa, Nepal
Aug 1983 Kashmir
11-18 Jun 1983 Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
20 Jun 1983 Nepal
3, 27-29 Oct 1983 Nilgiris, S India
5 Jan 1985 Khao Chong, Trang
23 Mar 1985 Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai
1 Jun 1985 Muang Chone, Khao Paw Ta, Surat Thani
19, 22 Jan 1986 Kamphuan, Ranong
27-28 Jan 1986 Kamphuan, Ranong
9 Mar 1986 Suksamran, Ranong
13 Mar 1986 Doi Pu Meun, Fang
19 Mar 1986 Suksamran, Ranong
23 Nov 1986 Mae Hong Son
7-9 Jan 1988 Muang Chone, Khao Paw Ta, Surat Thani
19 Jan 1988 Kamphuan, Ranong
28 Jan 1988 Kamphuan, Ranong
Feb 1988 Doi Pu Meun, Fang
31 Dec 1988 Khao Chong, Trang
6 Jan 1989 Khao Paw Ta, Surat Thani
20-23 Jan 1989 Kamphuan, Ranong
24 Jan 1989 Khao Paw Ta, Surat Thani
13 Feb 1989 Ban Nam Dan, Nan
Feb 1989 Muang Chone, Khao Paw Ta, Surat Thani
19 Mar 1989 Klong Na Kha, Ranong
20-24 Apr 1989 Kamphuan, Ranong
30 Apr-1, 5 May 1989 Tarutao Is., Satun
7 May 1989 Than To, Yala
12 Jun 1989 Doi Pee Ban Nam, NW Laos
15 Aug 1989 Kamphuan, Ranong
17 Sep 1989 Doi Pee Ban Nam, NW Laos
20 Feb 1990 Ban Tuey, Pua, Nan
2 Mar 1990 Do Pu Meun, Fang
15 Apr 1990 Do Pu Meun, Fang
28 Apr 1991 Doi Pa Hom Pok, Fang
Jul 1991 Kashmir, NW India
7 Aug 1991 Nan
22 Sep 1991 Vang Vieng, Laos
30 Oct 1991 Longhaeng, Mae Hong Son
14 Jan 1992 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
6 Feb 1992 Doi Pu Meun, Fang
15 Feb 1992 Bacho Waterfall, Narathiwat
17-19 Feb 1992 Than To, Yala
21 Feb 1992 Khao Panom Bencha, Krabi
23 Feb 1992 Koh Lanta, Krabi
27 Feb 1992 Kamphuan, Ranong
7 Mar 1992 Doi Pui, Chiang Mai
10, 12 Mar 1992 Doi Pu Meun, Fang
14, 19 Mar 1992 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
21 Mar 1992 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
23 Mar 1992 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
15 Apr 1992 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
21 Apr 1992 Doi Pa Hom Pok, Fang
23 May 1992 Khao Khieo, Chonburi
7-8 Jun 1992 Manjhitar, Darjeeling, India
21-24 Jun 1992 Teesta, Darjeeling, India
19-20 Jul 1992 Manali, India
Jul-Aug 1992 Kashmir, NW India
26 Aug 1992 Ban Tung Kong Mu, Mae Hong Son
12-13 Sep 1992 Ban Tuey, Pua, Nan
21 Sep 1992 Huey Kaew, Chiang Mai
23 Sep 1992 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
3 Nov 1992 Mae Hong Son
6 Nov 1992 Longhaeng, Mae Hong Son
9 Feb 1993 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
6 Mar 1993 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
7 Mar 1993 Ban Mae Khong, Omkoi
21 Mar 1993 Kaeng Krajan, Petburi
13 Apr 1993 Ban Mae Khong, Omkoi
27 Apr - 1 May 1993 Cuc Phuong, N Vietnam
6, 13 May 1993 Tam Dao, Vietnam
4-5 Jul 1993 Tam Dao, Vietnam
7 Jul 1993 Sapa, N Vietnam
21 Aug 1993 Sapa, N Vietnam
28 Aug 1993 Ban Tuey, Pua, Nan
14-20 Sep 1993 Visakhapatnam, India
27-29 Sep 1993 Nilgiris, S India
30 Sep 1993 Munnar, Kerala, S India
3 Oct 1993 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
10 Oct 1993 Ban Tuey, Pua, Nan
14 Jan 1994 Kamphuan, Ranong
29 Jan 1994 Kamphuan, Ranong
10 Feb 1994 Kutacane, Aceh, Sumatra
12 Feb 1994 Ban Mae Khong, Omkoi
22 Feb 1994 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
10 Mar 1994 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
17-23 Mar 1994 Ya Mo Khi, Umphang
10, 14 Aug 1994 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
26 Aug 1994 Huey Kaew, Chiang Mai
8, 20 Sep 1994 Ban Tuey, Pua, Nan
16 Oct 1994 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
3-9, 12, 15-16, 20-22, 27-28 Mar 1995 Ya Mo Khi, Umphang
21 Oct 1995 Ya Mo Khi, Umphang
14, 22 Feb 1996 Ya Mo Khi, Umphang
12-22 Mar 1996 Kalaw, Shan States
18 Mar 1996 Tumbonghka, Kachin
2 Apr 1996 Kalaw, Shan States
21 Apr - 5 May 1996 Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
15 May 1996 N of Gawai, N Kachin
24 May 1996 btw Pangnamdim & Gawai, N Kachin
31 May 1996 Nogmung, N Kachin
1-2 Jun 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
13 Jun 1996 btw Pangnamdim & Gawai, N Kachin
19, 27-28 Jun 1996 Da Zum Dam, N Kachin
11, 20-30 Jul 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
1 Aug 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
5 Aug 1996 Gawai, N Kachin
3-9, 17-18 Aug 1996 Seingk Valley NE of Gawai, N Kachin
12-13, 20-21 Aug 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
26 Aug 1996 Gawai, N Kachin
27 Aug 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
1, 13-14, 20-24 Sep 1996 btw Pangnamdim & Gawai, N Kachin
8, 11 Sep 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
18 Sep 1996 Kushin, N Kachin
24 Sep 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
4 Oct 1996 NE of Putao, N Kachin
5-6 Feb 1997 Ya Mo Khi, Umphang
8 Mar 1997 Ya Mo Khi, Umphang
19 Mar 1997 Phong Phong Waterfall, Pattani
20 Mar 1997 Than To, Yala
21 Mar 1997 Sai Khao Waterfall, Pattani
22 Mar 1997 Khao Bue Yo, Yala
23 Mar 1997 Than To, Yala
25, 27 Mar 1997 Sirinthon Waterfall, Narathiwat
26 Mar 1997 Bajo Waterfall, Narathiwat
29-30 Mar 1997 Thaleban, Satun
4 Apr 1997 Than To, Yala
5 Apr 1997 Phong Phong Waterfall, Pattani
8 Jul 1997 Mae Hong Son
10 Jul 1997 Ban Tung Kong Mu, Mae Hong Son
21-23 Aug 1997 Ban Tung Kong Mu, Mae Hong Son
8-9, 13, 20-29 Apr 1998 Kushin, N Kachin
26-27 Apr 1998 Makhungan, N Kachin
4-18 May 1998 Kushin, N Kachin
12 May 1998 Makhungan, N Kachin
9, 12, 15 Jun 1998 Ban Tung Kong Mu, Mae Hong Son
Apr-May, Jul-Aug 1998 N Kachin
30 Apr 1999 Ban Mae Khong, Omkoi
31 May 1999 Tsawlaw, E Kachin
27 Jun 1999 Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
7 Aug 1999 Doi Phu Kha, Nan
5 Mar 2000 Doi Nang Pu, Huai Pong, Mae Hong Son
8 Mar 2000 Huey Sai Khao, Mae Hong Son
16 Apr 2000 Mt. Kennedy, N Chin State
8, 12 Apr 2001 Khao Ram Rome, Nakhon Si Thammarat
1-10 Mar 2003 Koh Chang
31 Jan 2004 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
11-18 Feb 2004 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
13, 19 Mar 2004 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
3-6 Apr 2004 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
14, 18, 24 Mar 2006 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
1 Apr 2006 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
26-29 Feb 2012 Ban Nai Soi/Huey Sai Khao, Mae Hong Son
3, 9, 12, 15 Mar 2012 Ban Nai Soi, Mae Hong Son
24 Mar 2012 Huey Sawd Noi, Phu Khieow, Chaiyaphum
26 Mar 2012 Huey Prom Laeng, Nam Nao
5 Apr 2012 Huey Prom Laeng, Nam Nao
6 Apr 2012 below Chulaphorn Dam, Chaiyaphum
16 Apr 2012 Huey Sawd Noi, Phu Khieow, Chaiyaphum
17 Apr 2012 below Chulaphorn Dam, Chaiyaphum
21 Apr 2012 Doi Lang, Fang
23 Apr 2012 Doi Ang Khang, Fang
5-7 Jul 2012 Udomxay, Laos
9-11 Jul 2012 Luang nam Tha, Laos
24-26 Feb 2013 Doi Pu Meun, Fang
27 Feb 2013 Doi Lang, Fang
31 Mar-2 Apr 2013 Koh Phangan, Surat Thani
5-9 Apr 2013 Huey Nam Sai, Ratchakrut, Ranong
18 Apr 2013 Ban Sai Khao, Mae Hong Son
15-16 Jun 2013 Pangsida, Sa Kaew
11-15 Feb 2014 Huey Kaew, Chiang Mai
21 Feb 2014 Khao Hang Nak, Krabi
3 Mar 2014 Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi
11 Mar 2014 Than To, Yala
12-14 Mar 2014 Betong, Yala
1 Apr 2014 Ban Pong, Mae Jo, Chiang Mai
7-10 Apr 2014 Betong, Yala
11 Apr 2014 Than To, Yala
12 Apr 2014 Betong, Yala
15-16 Apr 2014 Thaleban, Satun
26 Apr 2014 Tarutao
19-28 Jun 2014 Betong, Yala
24 July 2014 - 2 Aug 2014 Betong
11, 17 Nov 2014 Huey Peung, Mae Hong Son
7 Dec 2014 Huey Kaew, Chiang Mai
28 Feb 2015 Pa Pru Sirindhorn/Toadaeng, Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat
1-5 Mar 2015 Hala-Bala, Narathiwat
7-9 Mar 2015 Tarutao Is., Satun
11 March 2015 Hala-Bala, Narathiwat
14 Mar 2015 Boriphat Waterfall, Songkla
27 Mar 2015 Tharn Pliew Waterfall, Satun
28 Mar 2015 Panan Waterfall, Satun
29 Mar - 3 Apr 2015 Tarutao Is., Satun
15, 22 Apr 2015 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
21 Oct 2015 Doi Lan, Ngao, Lampang
21 Oct 2015 Ban Pong, Mae Jo, Chiang Mai
26 Apr 2016 Than To, Yala
3 May 2016 Khao Ram Rome, Nakorn Si Thammarat
23 Aug 2016 Khao Yai, Nakorn Rachasima
2 Dec 2016 Bang Non, Ranong
5-15 Feb 2017 Betong, Yala
7 Mar 2017 Huay Sai Lueang Waterfall, Doi Inthanon
24 Mar 2017 Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai
11 Apr 2017 Doi Pu Meun, Fang
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In memory of Prasobsuk Sukkit
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