Writer Sukprida Banomyong, well-known son of the late senior statesman Pridi Banomyong and the late Thanpooying Poonsuk Banomyong, spent much of the latter part of his life defending and reviving the legacy of his father and the 1932 revolt.

Sukprida passed away last Friday, aged 75, after succumbing to cancer and septicaemia.

Although his father's legacy is more or less solid today, the tarnishing and subsequent revival of the reputation of Pridi Banomyong tells us a lot about how history is often written and rewritten.

Pridi, who led the civilian wing of the 1932 revolt which ended absolute monarchy, was exiled to China and died in France. Sukprida, as a third child, grew up in exile with his parents.

It was not until two decades ago that Pridi's posthumous reputation was restored. As a son of Pridi, Sukprida was unwavering in his desire to play a significant part - through his writings and public speaking - in salvaging the reputation of his father who, for decades, had been accused of being a communist and of being behind the death of King Ananda.

Sukprida's untimely departure means he will never finish a book in progress on the social and political context of the June 24, 1932 revolt.

"It's unfortunate that the book, scheduled to be finished on June 24 next year, will not materialise," said Sinsawad Yodbangtoey, manager of the Pridi Banomyong Institute who worked with Sukprida.

Sinsawad said Sukprida was among those who have tried to explain and clarify the legacy of the 1932 revolt, as well as the motivation and intentions of Pridi.

Vipar Daomanee, a lecturer in social innovation at Thammasat University, fondly recalled Sukprida as an unassuming gentleman who defended the legacy of the 1932 revolt and that of his father to the very end.

Vipar recalled a recent spat between Sukprida and a Thammasat historian, expressing sadness that Sukprida would not be able to pen his rebuttal in full.

"[Sukprida] was so angry. He was writing the rebuttal," said Vipar, of the event which transpired in May this year. "Never was he elitist, despite the fact that he was the son of a national leader. He would prostrate to me every time he saw me, sometimes even before I did."

Vipar said Sukprida was definitely "not a royalist" and like the rest of the family, disliked formality and ritual. Sukprida's body has been donated to Thammasat Rangsit Hospital and his funeral rite at Wat Phra Si Mahathat Bang Khaen was a modest affair.

On the few occasions this writer met Sukprida - as a son of one of Sukprida's friends and as someone distantly related on both our maternal sides through the Suwannasala clan - Sukprida was always gentle, kind and unassuming.

But like many public figures caught in the current political divide, Sukprida couldn't escape the ire of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy.

"He's with the red shirts," said social critic Sulak Sivaraksa, pointing out that Sukprida publicly opposed the current junta-sponsored constitution and was hated by the yellow shirts. "He opposed this [2008] charter and so his father's name is cursed."

Being a minor intellectual, writing books about Ho Chi Minh, Prince Souphanouvong and defending his own father, is not something that impressed Sulak. Sulak is regarded as sympathetic to the yellow shirts, but also played an instrumental role in reviving the name of Pridi through his prolific writings, public campaigns and lobbying. Reportedly he doesn't think kindly of Sukprida's career - but refuses to elaborate further on the record.

"Let me say it straight: a son would protect his father's name. Though I doubt he knew his father that well."

Indeed, even with the passing of Sukprida, generations of scholars, activists and intellectuals will continue to debate about 1932 and Pridi's role in society, especially now that many royalists feel insecure and paranoid about the future of their institution.

In a way, Sukprida's life was overshadowed by his famous father's larger-than-life stature and the attempt to restore Pridi's honour. Now he may perhaps rest in peace and leave the debates and disputes to the rest of us - and for history to continue to be rewritten.