In his early 20s Sang began to write regularly on political and international subjects and became a daily commentator for the national radio station.
He decided to take only the official post of President, and later General Secretary, of the Thai National Traders Union Congress.
With a reduced formal role in government and more time available to other projects, Sang turned himself to journalism, setting up a daily newspaper that he himself edited: Satienraparb ("Forever") soon exerted considerable influence in Thai politics.
Unfortunately for the children, a sudden change of government resulting from a coup, meant that their father was arrested for his pro-Beijing policies and his newspaper articles about China.
Sang's daughter, Sirin Phathanothai, would later write a book, The Dragon's Pearl, about her experiences growing up among China's elite.