บทสัมภาษณ์

On Friday morning, March 2, 2001, President Thanu Kulachol gave an interview to BU News English section. Prior to the interview twelve questions were submitted to him that dealt mainly with the changing education system of Thailand. The last two questions focused more on the President's personal life and the development of his career at Bangkok University. This article is based on the last two questions. In honor of Dr. Thanu's celebration of his 30th year with Bangkok University and becoming 60 years of age, we give this story the space it deserves.

During the interview it became clear that from early age Thanu Kulachol has been his own man. When eleven years old he knew exactly what he wanted as he had decided to become a priest. Inspired by his Catholic upbringing and by the missionaries with whom his family were befriended, he concluded that doing good, working for others, and serving society were worthy ideals to live for. He embarked on an intensive education for novices at a Christian seminary in Hua Hin.

'I had to study Latin and Italian right from the beginning because that is part of the Salesian Congregation. I was trained there from the age of eleven until I graduated and became a novice. I became a Brother at age 18 and had to teach and take care of younger seminarians. And then I went to Israel to further my study in Philosophy and Theology.'

However, the chosen course of his life would soon change. Although completing his studies in Philosophy and starting Theology (all texts of study were in Latin and the teaching in Italian) and dreaming of becoming a Priest, he had to resign from the Salesian Congregation because of ill health. He did not want to be a burden to his teachers and classmates, who came from Italy, England, the Netherlands and from many other countries.

'They wanted to keep me. It would have taken another three years to become finally a Priest, but my health was frail and I came back to Thailand. Unfortunately, the bachelor's degree in Philosophy did not do anything for me here, because in that time no one knew about philosophy. So, I wanted to become a medical doctor. The entrance examination was three days, but after the first day I had to be hospitalized because my health was still frail since my return from Israel. Finally, at the age of 25, I had to change my mind, I looked around, and one day I noticed an advertisement of Bangkok College in the Bangkok Post.'

And a successful student, at Bangkok College, Thanu Kulachol was. After the first semester, President Charoen Kanthawongs (presently President Emeritus) gave him encouragement when Thanu had obtained all A's for his examinations. After the second semester, he got all A's again but now he was the only one among all students. President Charoen asked him if he wanted to become a teacher in the future and proposed a scholarship for this purpose, which implied that he did not have to pay for his second, third and fourth year of study.

'I said no, I did not want to become a teacher. I knew that Bangkok College had scholarships from the Bangkok Bank and the Thai Farmers Bank. I chose to receive a scholarship myself from the Thai Farmers Bank and by doing so I did not have any commitment with Bangkok College.'

However, President Charoen did not give up. When student Thanu completed his bachelor's degree with first class honors he again called Thanu and asked again if he wanted to become a teacher. 'I said no, I had decided to become a businessman. I was 29 years old then.' President Charoen proposed then a scholarship for him to further his studies and obtain an MBA, and the contract with Bangkok College would be based on three times the study time required for obtaining the master's degree. After that he could become a businessman. This time student Thanu agreed. 'I thought it was a good idea because my parents had eight children, I am the oldest, and I did not want to bother my father for finances.' But there was one more condition to be fulfilled. In that time Bangkok College had the policy that someone who furthers his studies at master's degree level first needs to be a faculty member, for at least one year. But, again, determined Thanu refused. 'I said no way, I am too old and cannot wait for another year. If you are interested in giving me a scholarship then you need to give it right away without this condition.' The President and the Founders of the College agreed!

And off went Thanu, to the USA, to Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. 'I spent only eleven months studying for the master's degree, including writing my thesis. Because I really wanted to reduce the time duration of the Bangkok College contract. I graduated with honors, magna cum laude. So when I came back from the USA the contract was only for less than three years, and I still did not favor teaching.'

From this point, after his return from the USA, Thanu Kulachol's status became elevated. He was instantly appointed the Dean of the School of Business Administration. The first position ever at Bangkok College, as previous positions did not go higher than "Head." 'I had no reservations of accepting the Dean position, as it was truly an honor. My age was 30 and all faculty members were young. There were only a few with a master's degree. No one had a doctoral degree, including the President.'

'I received much support from the Founder's wife, Mrs. Pongthip Osathanugrah. She was a very good person, well loved by all the faculty. And I can frankly say that I am still here because of her, even though she passed away.'

After two years of Deanship, President Charoen and the Founders realized that only a few months were left for Dean Thanu to complete the duration of his contract with Bangkok College. However, they shouldn't have bothered. 'During my Deanship I got good feelings about being a Dean and about teaching. I fell in love with this career and I was happy with my work. So, President Charoen enquired how I would feel about a doctoral degree, and I accepted the offer. I went to Southern Illinois University and completed the doctoral degree within two years. When I came back I was appointed as the very first Vice President for Academic Affairs. There was no such title in the past. I served in this position for eleven years before becoming President. And this is my 14th year as President.'

President Thanu is convinced that when people look at his example they can understand that anyone, any outsider to the university, would be able to follow such a career here. 'No personal relations or ties with the Founders or faculty are needed, provided that the person is competent, loyal, qualified and does not mind to work hard.' The time duration for being a President is at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees, there is no fixation or contract. In general, the retirement age is at 55, but this can be extended, depending on health and the Board's wish.

When looking at his career at Bangkok University, President Thanu concludes that he has not been here for the money or for position but much more for his great respect and love for co-founder Mrs. Pongthip Osathanugrah. 'During my time working here I got many offers from UN, from Unesco, to become an expert in other countries. I refused all those offers because of my deep appreciation for the co-founder. She was such a good person, such a good spirit and so dedicated. She was the one who pushed for the creation of Bangkok College. She worked here full time as Vice President for Financial Affairs, until her death. That's why I am here. I learned to know her after my first return from the USA. She worked behind the scene, rarely appeared in public.'

'When President Charoen talked to me during my student and Dean years, it was in fact she who was behind the suggestions he made. When I became a Dean I learned to know her well through the meetings. She was a very bright person and well talented, she was a musician, a pianist and a professional opera singer. You could not tell that she was a millionaire since her lifestyle and personality were very simple.'

It was Mrs. Pongthip Osathanugrah who inspired others to always support progress and quality development. She was behind the idea of the Faculty Development Program, and that eventually more and more faculty would obtain a doctoral degree, so that vacancies in executive positions would be filled with qualified people. Bangkok College began with about 300 students 39 years ago. This gradually developed into the lower thousands to above twenty thousand students today on two campuses.

President Thanu Kulachol has received important awards and recognition, nationally and internationally. So was he appointed by the Royal Command of His Majesty the King to the Senate for 4 years, where he could exercise his influence to the benefit of private education in Thailand. Also, as a senator he made many useful contacts with individuals from all walks of life, from the military and business people to civil officials. These contacts have remained and make life easier when it comes to proposing changes in the education system. Recently, he has been appointed a member to the search committee that selects qualified people to become members of the National Economic and Social Council. He also serves presently as an Executive Board member of the Office of Standard Approval and Educational Quality Assessment.

From his alma mater Southern Illinois University, he received two prestigious awards. In 1998 he received the Achievement Award from his College of Education, and in 2000 he was bestowed with the prestigious Southern Illinois University Distinguished Alumni Award. For both awards he was the first non-American, previously, only Americans had received the awards.

'It was such a great honor. I am happy that SIU also looks beyond themselves, outside the country. That is also a sign of globalization. I am very proud of the Distinguished Alumni Award, not only for myself but also on behalf of the citizens of the world, and on behalf of Bangkok University, that I have been recognized by an established public university in America. SIU became aware of someone outside America, a foreigner. I think, in the future, this will happen more.' President Thanu received the award for his work and dedication in tertiary education development and the contributions he made to his country.

'Because of me studying at SIU, Bangkok University has a collaboration agreement with them. When I went to SIU I was the Dean of the Business School here, I was sponsored by the university to go there. Since I was in the administration level of BU I could make connections with the President and Vice Presidents and others of SIU. I got all A's at doctoral level and was invited to join the Phi Delta Society which only accepts individuals with a GPA of 4. I also won the special doctoral assistantship from SIU, which meant that I received monthly stipends and did not have to pay for the tuition. When I came back to BU I kept in touch with SIU and could arrange scholarships for other faculty members to study at SIU. They gave us many tuition waivers. I also introduced the Founders of BU to the SIU's administration.'

Does President Thanu think his life has been fulfilling, does it touch the ideals he had as a young boy, of serving less fortunate people and serving society and his country? 'It's maybe my training in the past up to my 25th year, I was trained to become a priest, who has to dedicate his life to others and not to think of himself. I always feel that way, that my life is for others. I never thought of becoming a millionaire, not once in my life. What I want from life is a good family, good friends, good jobs which suit you and benefit others. I think millionaires are not as happy as I am now. When I retire I want to enjoy my life by staying with my family, playing golf, and teaching part time.'

President Thanu met his wife, Khun Nongyao, when they both were students at Bangkok College. They have three children: one daughter, Miss Thorntheera, 27, and two sons, Mr. Tharin, 16 and Mr. Thanat, 12 years old. Mrs. Nongyao Kulachol always accompanies her husband when he needs to travel abroad to universities with which BU has a collaboration agreement.

As determined as when he was only eleven years old, President Thanu concludes: 'Maybe I will go back to part time teaching, or participate in an advisory committee. I will not go into politics, that's not for me, maybe as an advisor to political parties, yes, but only behind the scene.'