Although decades have passed, retired teacher Boonmee Nopprapai clearly remembers Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont as a good student whom he never had to beat or scold.

Among the lower-secondary students of St Gabriel's College between 1944 and 1986 Boonmee was known as a strict teacher, and few students escaped his cane.

"Prime Minister Surayud was among those whom I never beat. He was one of my good students," said Boonmee, now 81.

"It was long time ago ... but I remember the Prime Minister was about 11 or 12 at the time. He was diligent, obedient, nice and a well-mannered boy, not much different from what he is nowadays," Boonmee recalled. "He was also a good football-player."

Boonmee started as a teacher at St Gabriel's in 1944 when he was only 19 and just out of school.

Thanks to his excellent school record the headmaster asked him to teach.

He taught there until retirement in 1986. During 42 years Boonmee taught Grades 6-9 all main sub?jects except physical and health education.

Boonmee said he always remembered the names of his stu?dents. He remembered Surayud immediately when he read he had been appointed Army command?er-in-chief.

"After that I followed him in the news and learnt he had become a Privy Councillor and now Prime Minister. I am so proud of him and glad that my little student grew up to be the boss," he said.

Besides Surayud, several pres?ent and past government figures have been in his classes.

They include Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen, Pongpol Adireksarn, and Suwat Liptapanlop.

After retiring Boonmee tutored his 10 grandchildren at home. The teacher's health has deteriorated, and he suffers from heart disease.

However, Boonmee never miss?es a day's newspaper and watches television news to keep up with his former students' activities.

"I believe Surayud is a good man, so I pray for him every night, wish?ing him to lead the country smoothly."

Asked about the achievements of Surayud's government, Boonmee said it was satisfactory.

"It would be better if the prime minister were less kind-hearted," he said when asked what he would tell Surayud if he had the chance.

Since high school Surayud and teacher have had few reunions.

Boonmee met Surayud a couple of times at school fairs. However, two years ago Boonmee invited Surayud to dinner at his Bangkok home. Boonmee said it had been a happy meal.

Their last meeting was at a St Gabriel's celebration in honour of the influential and important on December 18 last year.

"We passed, and he turned to me, greeted me with a wai and said he was glad we had met again."

However, the teacher and the student have a chance to meet again on Tuesday at a Teacher's Day ceremony hosted by the Teachers' Council of Thailand.

Chatrarat Kaewmorakot

The Nation