Chulalongkorn Awards First Scholarship to Fallen Border Soldier's Widow
Chulalongkorn University has awarded its first full master's scholarship under a new policy supporting families of soldiers killed on the Thai-Cambodian border. The recipient, Tawanchai Linla, is the widow of Sergeant Amarin Pasuk, who died defending the Ta Moan Thom temple area. The psychiatric nurse says the scholarship restored her direction after grief and is enabling her to pursue a career in mental health nursing education and research while working full-time.
Tawanchai Linla, a professional psychiatric nurse at Surin Hospital and wife of Sergeant Amarin Pasuk of the 3rd Infantry Regiment who sacrificed his life defending Thai sovereignty at the Ta Moan Thom temple area on the Thai-Cambodian border, has received a full master's degree scholarship at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Nursing. The scholarship falls under a new university policy aimed at supporting the education of spouses or children of soldiers who died in the line of duty along the Thai-Cambodian border, and this is the first time it has been awarded.
Tawanchai said she had already intended to pursue a master's degree to advance from clinical practice to becoming a psychiatric nursing instructor or working in mental health research and development. The Chulalongkorn scholarship opened the door to the career path she had envisioned. As a Chulalongkorn student, she benefited from a supportive learning environment, engaging with professors and classmates from diverse professional backgrounds. The hybrid on-site and online format allowed her to balance full-time work with continuous study.
Having completed coursework and practical training, Tawanchai is now focused on finishing her thesis, targeting graduation within two years. She credits her advisors and faculty for turning what once seemed impossible into a clear path forward. "The value I received from Chulalongkorn exceeds the scholarship's monetary worth — it's an invaluable opportunity," she said. "When life lost its direction, education became the anchor that helped me find my goals again. Guidance from the dean, professors, and advisors didn't just push me academically but also steadied me to walk my own path confidently, transforming loss and hardship into momentum for building the future."
Associate Professor Dr. Penpat Utit, Tawanchai's primary advisor at the Faculty of Nursing, revealed close monitoring and support throughout her journey, especially during the initial period of grief. Faculty members provided emotional support and helped her maintain focus on educational goals, enabling her to adapt and overcome the difficult period. "Tawanchai shows genuine determination. Despite juggling work and study, she consistently progressed toward her goals, accepted advice, and continuously improved herself," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Penpat. "This demonstrates that Chulalongkorn's scholarship isn't just about opening doors to education — it comes with a system of professors and university support that monitors, follows up, and helps recipients move forward with confidence."
