Gen. Boonsrang addresses Batch 104
General Dr. Boonsrang Niumpradit (right), Deputy Supreme Commander, Royal Thai Armed Forces addressed the graduates of AIT's 104th Commencement Exercises (a.k.a. Batch 104) at a ceremony held on Friday, 16 December 2005 at the AIT Conference Center .
Dr Boonsrang is an alumnus of AIT who obtained his Doctor of Engineering degree in the field of Structural Engineering in 1978, and his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1972.
His patriotism and commitment to his country are reflected in his illustrious career of service in the military. From 1973 to 1986, he served the Royal Thai Military Academy in different capacities, and then moved on to serving as Director of the Strategic Research Institute. He then served as Director of National Defence College.
In 2000-2001, He was appointed as Force Commander of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, commanding over 8,000 peacekeepers from 36 countries. He spent 410 days in East Timor which he calls the most memorable period of his life.
East Timor resembles to his native village in Suphanburi province where he grew up. This made him relate to East Timorese rather easily. He had successfully documented hisd stay in East Timor by keeping a diary which recorded every detail of his life and memorable events in the service of peace. This diary, which was later published as '410 Days in East Timor, a Peacekeeper's Diary' will always keep alive the noble work of all the peacekeeping officers and soldiers, his civilian colleagues, NGOs and the Timorese leadership and the people.
With more than three decades of military service and experience, Dr. Boonsrang's recent appointment as Deputy Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces of the Ministry of Defence is truly well-deserved.
In appreciation for his notable military services, Dr. Boonsrang was bestowed the 'Distinguished Thai AIT Alumni Award' and the 'Distinguished AIT Alumni Award' for International Affairs in 2004. He was also very recently elected as the new President of the AIT Alumni Association.
The 104th Graduation Ceremony to 139 students from 20 countries will be held at the AIT Conference Center. Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President will preside over the ceremony.
Among the 139 graduates, 13 are from the School of Advanced Technologies, 26 from the School of Environment, Resources and Development, 4 from the School of Civil Engineering, and 96 from the School of Management. There are 14 doctoral graduates and 125 master's graduates.