Page 47 - A Life Well-Lived Is a Beautiful Memory

Missed Flights,

Steamed Bananas,

and a Professor

Who Touched

Our Lives

Nongnuch Soonthornchawakan Ever the lecturer even during a meal, Bhanupong tells
14 February 2024 Ajarn Nongnuch the history of pizza Margarita, 2018

Khun Divina’s request left me staring at the blank page, swamped by memories of Professor
Bhanupong. From a student intimidated by his sharp tongue to a colleague touched by his kindness,
our journey was a rollercoaster of emotions. So, instead of a chronological account, let’s hop on
that rollercoaster and share some snapshots:

From Fear to Fondness: A Professor Unveiled
Imagine a young, English-challenged me sitting in Professor Bhanupong’s macroeconomics
class. His questions, meant to be easy, felt like Mount Everest to my vocabulary. One time, he

even joked about taking away my honors degree! Needless to say, I wasn’t a fan.
Years later, as a fellow professor, I understood his tough love. But it wasn’t until we worked
together that I saw the man behind the stern facade. His dedication to the Faculty, his genuine
care for students, and his infectious laughter during lunch breaks chipped away at my initial fear,
revealing a kind and supportive mentor.

Missed Flights, Misadventures, and Memories
Remember that time we went to Japan for a seminar? Professor Bhanupong, ever the explorer,

did not mind being dragged around by me on a detour to Osaka Castle, making us miss his flight
(blame it on bathroom music, he claimed!). The frantic train ride to catch the next one became a
hilarious shared memory, forever immortalized in a picture of a sheepish Professor Bhanupong.

Bhanupong Nidhiprabha 47