Page 32 - A Life Well-Lived Is a Beautiful Memory

Professor

Bhanupong

as I Knew Him

Naris Chaiyasoot
February 2024 Bhanupong and Naris, 2020

On the morning of May 13, 2023, Thailand and Thammasat University experienced a
significant loss with the passing of Professor Bhanupong Nidhiprabha, a distinguished economist.
As the first anniversary of his departure approaches, his wife, Divina, who knows how much I
admired and considered Bhanupong a close friend, has asked me to share some personal memories
of him in remembrance.

Bhanupong, whom I called “Pi Tik,” was my senior by two years at Thammasat University.
He enrolled in 1971, and I followed in 1973. I vividly remember our first interaction in 1976 when
I was studying for my master’s in Economics. He frequently visited the student studies room, not

as a student, but for reasons I’d rather discuss privately (definitely not for academic discussions).
We then pursued our further studies separately - he went to Johns Hopkins University for his
Ph.D., and I went to the University of Hawaii. We both returned to teach at Thammasat - I in
1983 and he around 1984 or 1985.
Reconnecting was easy due to our shared academic interests in macroeconomics and monetary

economics. We collaborated on papers, including one for the Ministry of Finance as part of the
ASEAN Cooperation in Finance and Banking (COFAB). We were also presenting papers in many
symposiums at the university. We traveled together to Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Lao PDR, and

Cambodia on our academic missions. Bhanupong was brilliant in the field of economics. I recall
many instances where his insights and wisdom guided us through complex issues. One of my
fondest memories is when we collaborated on a research project. His ability to explain intricate
economic concepts in simple terms was truly remarkable.

32 A Life Well-Lived Is a Beautiful Memory