H.E. Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich
From her PhD in nuclear physics, to ministerial positions in the Thai government, Khunying Kalaya’s career has followed an astonishing trajectory spanning education, technology and the environment. She has worked tirelessly to transform STEM education in Thailand and is the founding Chair of The Rajapruek Institute Foundation which is dedicated to protecting and enhancing Thailand’s natural environment and has planted over 20 million trees.
H.E. Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich
From her PhD in nuclear physics, to ministerial positions in the Thai government, Khunying Kalaya’s career has followed an astonishing trajectory spanning education, technology and the environment. She has worked tirelessly to transform STEM education in Thailand and is the founding Chair of The Rajapruek Institute Foundation which is dedicated to protecting and enhancing Thailand’s natural environment and has planted over 20 million trees.
“My professor asked who wanted to study abroad,” says Khunying Kalaya. “I raised my hand. And that is why I am here with you today.”
By any standards, Kalaya’s journey through life has been unique. The second child of eight, Kalaya was born in Nakhon Ratchasima, rural northeastern Thailand, in 1940. With no schools nearby, she was educated at the local temple. “I was a country girl,” she smiles. “My family just about got away with life – we had shelter and food, but no electricity. I had to fetch water from the canal.
If I wanted to eat sweets at the weekend, I sold rainwater at the train station.
But Kalaya was a good student, earning a place at a school in Bangkok, and then, with encouragement from her teachers, a chance to take her Bachelor of Science at Chulalongkorn University.
After she raised her hand, her professor – a graduate of Imperial College London - helped her to successfully apply for a place at Imperial.
What made her step forward? “I think maybe it’s the characteristic of scientists,” she says. “I wanted to go further and learn more. And I thought I would just go for one year!”
Kalaya on the right with her friend
Kalaya on the right with her friend
Breaking barriers
Kalaya was accepted into Imperial and, at first, was terribly homesick. “With my poor English, the loneliness, and the foggy British weather – I cried. I could not understand the lectures, the different accents and dialects from all over the UK.”
Despite the challenges, Kalaya made friends who helped her navigate life in the UK. And just six months into her stay in London, Kalaya applied for her PhD and was awarded a full scholarship, working as a laboratory assistant for extra money. “I told myself I wouldn’t go home until I was a success.”
Now she looks back fondly on her time at Imperial – from international friendships to nocturnal studies at the computer, she feels lucky to have studied here. “At Imperial, I was very fortunate to be able to use IBM 360,” she says. “The whole university used this one computer, but nuclear physicists need a lot of memory, so I had to use it at night, to explore particle collision.”
Breaking barriers
Kalaya was accepted into Imperial and, at first, was terribly homesick. “With my poor English, the loneliness, and the foggy British weather – I cried. I could not understand the lectures, the different accents and dialects from all over the UK.”
Despite the challenges, Kalaya made friends who helped her navigate life in the UK. And just six months into her stay in London, Kalaya applied for her PhD and was awarded a full scholarship, working as a laboratory assistant for extra money. “I told myself I wouldn’t go home until I was a success.”
Now she looks back fondly on her time at Imperial – from international friendships to nocturnal studies at the computer, she feels lucky to have studied here. “At Imperial, I was very fortunate to be able to use IBM 360,” she says. “The whole university used this one computer, but nuclear physicists need a lot of memory, so I had to use it at night, to explore particle collision.”
Kalaya was away for five years, and is most likely the first woman in Thailand to study high-energy nuclear physics, and one of the first Asian women to undertake experiments at CERN.
She graduated from Imperial in 1970 with a PhD in Physics.
After her PhD, Kalaya returned to Chulalongkorn University to teach but stopped after a year when she got married. Her husband’s work in banking brought her back to London (“my second home”, she smiles) where she had three children, before the family moved on to Hong Kong.
Planting trees for the future
Kalaya initially didn't work while raising her family but when a former teacher invited her to contribute to a junior encyclopedia compiled at the behest of King Bhumipol Adulyadej of Thailand, she was grateful for a chance to use her skills. And this led to her first role in public service in 1979 as she became an Advisor to the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment.
And she wanted to do even more. While in England, Kalaya had noticed that “British people love their trees”, and the memory is partly what inspired her to found the Rajapruek Institute Foundation. Over forty years, the Institute has planted more than 20 million trees nationwide, with enormous social, economic and environmental impact.
“When you plant trees,” she says, “you plant the future. You revive damaged rainforest; planting mangroves repairs the ecosystem. And you provide work for people, who can invest in education for their children.”
The foundation operates under the philosophy of building forests by building people, highlighting the critical link between ecological health and human engagement. Her daughter and son-in-law continue her legacy at the Institute, working with researchers and academics, and involving children in tree-planting through education programmes.
With growing confidence in her ability to make a difference, in 1986, Kalaya drew on her time at Imperial to co-found the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), an institution critical to Thailand’s digital advancement.
People asked me why I chose this difficult life, but I wanted to serve.
Stepping into politics
In 2000, Kalaya decided to run for Governor of Bangkok. “Without a political background or knowledge, with only my mind and my heart, I wanted to make Bangkok a nice place to live, and to improve the schools here.”
As an independent candidate, she didn’t win, but came fourth, and was invited to join the Democrat Party, beginning a 25-year membership which saw her appointed to Minister of Science and Technology (2008-2010) and Deputy Minister of Education (2019-2023). “People asked me why I chose this difficult life,” she says, “but I wanted to serve.”
In her ministerial roles, Kalaya initiated policies with far-reaching impact. As Deputy Minister of Education, Kalaya spearheaded the transformative ‘Coding for All’ policy, aiming to integrate computer programming as a fundamental ‘third language’ into the national curriculum, starting from kindergarten. This forward-thinking strategy was designed to prepare Thai youth for the digital era. Recognising varying school resources, she championed the teaching of core concepts without immediate reliance on devices, which she refers to as ‘unplugged coding’.
When people hear the word ‘coding’, they often think of computers, algorithms or technology. But for me, coding is not just about machines – it is about the human mind. It is about how we think, how we solve problems and how we create change. Each of us carries within us a powerful ‘code’ – the ability to think logically, act with purpose and lead with compassion. That is the philosophy I call unplugged coding.
Kalaya hoped that in learning the basic principles of coding, people can solve the problems of everyday life. “With unplugged coding, the more you do it, the more you can solve problems. And solving problems using executive function makes your brain strong.”
Beyond coding, she ensured science, technology and innovation were embedded in the curriculum from an early age – previously it was only taught to those who showed interest. “But all children are interested in science,” she says. “Whether in wind, or light. If a four-year-old asks about the human heart or the sky, we must respond.”
Kalaya also emphasised the arts, with policies fostering imagination, culture, and collaboration.
Irrigating Thailand’s farms
Outside of politics, Kalaya's dedication to education and the environment shows in her leadership of Community Water Management under Royal Initiative. “Thailand is an agricultural country,” she says. “We produce a lot of the world’s food.” (Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of rice, and a top producer of sugarcane.)
“Agriculture needs water, but our irrigation systems only cover 20% of the land. Coming from the country, I wanted to help raise the standard of living for farmers.”
To solve the problem, Kalaya championed education and community ownership. Her work on the Chonlakorn (Water Engineer) programme focuses on empowering local people with the skills to manage their own resources sustainably. “We have so much water, but we didn’t have enough people to manage it. In monsoon season, for example, we could only retain 5%.”
Students on the programme are taught to find a place to retain water, to manage flow and excess, and to be aware of critical issues like drought and floods.
As a child, I had nothing – no electricity, just rainwater. But I came to Imperial because of knowledge and education. I want to give people inspiration that no matter where you are born, you can choose where you are going to be, if you have an education. And I am so grateful to Imperial for that.
Inspiring the next generation
Kalaya’s work is now heavily focused on helping the next generation. She is an active member of the Imperial alumni network, sharing her extensive expertise and experiences with the community, particularly on globally relevant topics like climate change and environmental stewardship. And she has just set up the Thai Kao Mai Party together with fellow former Democrat Suchatvee Suwansawat.
“I want to devote the rest of my life to the country,” she says, “to raise the education level in science and technology for Thai citizens; to enable us to live in the difficult world of the future.”
Kalaya has received the prestigious Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, earning her the title ‘Khunying’. This decoration is one of Thailand's most distinguished national honours, awarded by the monarch to individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the country. But, when asked about her proudest achievements, Kalaya cannot narrow it down. “I’m happy because I’ve been able to help people,” she says. “My husband supports me, my children have grown up.”
Kalaya (centre) and her family
Kalaya (centre) and her family
Words by Sarah Webb | Photography by Pinetawee Sinalapawanich | Editing and design by Ellie Cawthera
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