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It is normal to see those who are 50 or older spend weekends at home, rather than wandering around town for other relaxing activities - let alone riding into town to attend classes.

All that cannot be applied to Pornsilp Patcharintanakul.

The executive has held so many positions that he is now famous in business circles.

Pornsilp is chief executive of CP Intertrade, responsible for the export of all the commodities of the of the agricultural conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, and also CP Group vice president responsible for the agro-industry business.

He is deputy secretary-general of the Board of Trade and the Thai Chamber of Commerce and president of the Thai Feed Mill Association. Rounding off his resume, he is also a director of the Thai Frozen Foods Association and the Thai Shippers Council.

But holding all these positions, Pornsilp still managed to spare time to improve his knowledge.

It started two years ago when he decided to apply for a master's degree at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Economics. Majoring in political economy, he set out to learn about the theories - and the experiences of others - in political decision-making, and their impacts on the economy.

"Age should not stop one from learning. Education is not too late for anyone," he told his classmates when they asked why he was going back to school.

To complete his studies, he spent three hours three days a week in the classroom with 36 fellow students along with related activities that took up all of Saturday.

During the course, he was always seen at the front row of the classroom, playing close attention to the lecturers and his classmates' presentation.

This month he graduated, with ease. His thesis on "The Role of the Board of Trade of Thailand in International Trade Agreements" was commended. And he was named Chulalongkorn University's best student for 2008. Congratulations!

Back in the working life, Pornsilp can expect a busy time, with colleagues coming to him for advice not only as a successful executive but also an honoured student in his field.