Prof. Yordphol Tanaboriboon passes away unexpectedly while on Sweden trip

Prof. Yordphol Tanaboriboon passes away unexpectedly while on Sweden trip
Prof. Yordphol Tanaboriboon, 55, coordinator of Transportation Engineering field of study at the School of Engineering and Technology, passed away peacefully during his sleep on Sunday morning, 4 June 2006 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Initially, he was diagnosed to have a stroke.
Prof. Yordphol was in Sweden with a group of 15 AIT students and research staff and officials from Thailand’s Department of Highway. They were attending a training course with Volvo Car Research Center in Gothenburg, as part of Prof. Yordphol’s joint research project, Thailand Accident Research Center. The trip that was to return to Thailand 8 June also included visits to Chalmers University of Technology, the Swedish Road Administration and hospitals.
Married to Ms. Kanya Worawichawong, a staff member of AIT’s External Relations and Communications Office, Prof. Yordphol has two lovely children, a 4-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter.
Serving as the field coordinator of Transportation Engineering since 1989, Prof. Yordphol joined AIT in 1987 as a direct-hire visiting faculty member in the former Division of Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering. Prior to joining AIT, Prof. Yordphol was a faculty member at the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology.
Prof. Yordphol obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University, and his Ph.D. from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, U.S.A.
Prof. Yordphol most recently taught Transportation Systems, Urban Transportation Policy and Planning and Traffic Engineering courses. His research interests were road safety audit, accident investigation and reconstruction, application of data mining in road safety, road user behaviors, database developments, disaster management and sustainable development.
Dr. Pichai Nimityongskul, coordinator of Structural Engineering field of study, spoke highly of his former colleague. Dr. Pichai said Prof. Yordphol was a devoted faculty member who loved his students, never leaving his students alone and trying to help them in whatever way he could.
“He has the spirit of being a teacher who helps his students to be settled and successful in their studies and work,” Dr. Pichai said. “His relationship with his students is like parents and children.”
Prof. Yordphol was advising five doctoral students and three master’s students.
One of those master’s advisees, Mr. Somyonk Untama, said he and his friends are mourn the passing of their beloved professor. Some of them cried when they heard about the sad news, while some of them had trouble expressing their feeling.
“I couldn’t believe of what happened and feel very deeply sorry,” Mr. Somyonk said. “Prof. Yordphol treated us like his children and I feel like he is my father. He also knows us all, personally, even the ones who are not his advisees. He even can sense whenever anyone of us has any problems and usually asks that student to have a talk with him after the class.”
Mr. Somyonk said students enjoyed learning in Prof. Yordphol’s classes because he integrated his work and teaching experiences in his lessons. Moreover, Prof. Yordphol preferred his students to use reasons rather than theories to answer questions on examinations. According to his students, he always said, “Whatever you answer, there should be a reason to support it. That answer might not be the most correct one, but it should be the best solution.” He also taught his students not to memorize but to understand the content. “I think I am lucky to be one of his students,” Mr. Somyonk said.
The students of Transportation Engineering are now working on a condolence board to commemorate Prof. Yordphol.
The AIT community expresses its heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Prof. Yordphol’s family and those affected by his unexpected passing.
The announcement of plans for services is forthcoming.