Discovering Her Path Through Diverse Experiences
Growing up in Bangkok in an international curriculum, Ms. Pungwan Pholphirul enjoyed a happy childhood with the freedom to explore a wide range of activities. From a young age, she engaged in sports, music, dance, and art. During school breaks, she took art classes, spending up to three hours a day drawing – a pursuit that built patience, attention to detail, and fine motor skills.
By Grade 10, Pungwan realized that a career in medicine could integrate her diverse strengths – communication, academic knowledge, and a service-minded spirit. Determined to apply through the portfolio system, she began preparing from Grade 10 to Grade 12, prioritizing activities related to medicine, communication, and social service.
One key project was “Sister Care”, which she co-founded with her high school peers. The initiative educated girls in Grades 4–6 about adolescent health and early puberty, a topic she was personally familiar with. Activities included lectures, workshops, and school visits, empowering young girls with accurate knowledge about bodily changes.
From Portfolio to Medical School
Pungwan’s well-rounded portfolio – blending academic, creative, and service activities – secured her admission to the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University for Academic Year 2025. She credits her upbringing for giving her the freedom to explore and develop diverse skills.
Her mother, Prof. Dr. Pungpond Rukumnuaykit, an economist, and her father, Prof. Dr. Piriya Pholphirul, raised her with three guiding principles: good health, good character, and happiness. They also upheld four “forbidden” thoughts: “It’s too hard, I can’t do it, I don’t know how, I can’t handle it.”
They encouraged her to try new things, nurtured a “can-do” mindset, and supported her interests without pressuring for academic excellence. Remarkably, by age 10, she had earned 60,000 baht from selling her artwork.
Academic and Extracurricular Excellence
In high school, Pungwan won awards for her science projects, which led to research publications in Scopus-indexed journals at the age of 16. Her first project explored the toxicity of edible flowers; the second examined public risk perception toward COVID-19. She also excelled in English public speaking, winning a national competition and representing Thailand at a regional event in Malaysia as the youngest participant.
Her achievements extended to presenting research at both national and international conferences, contributing to UNICEF policy discussions, and competing in varsity-level sports in four disciplines.
A Philosophy of Upbringing
Prof. Dr. Pungpond shares her parenting philosophy: “Make sure your child thinks of you first – when they’re happy, and when they’re sad. I focused on raising my child well before taking any administrative positions for over a decade. I never checked her grades in high school; instead, I let her come to me for advice. We focused on attitude, discipline, and ethics.”
The family emphasized self-motivation over rewards, encouraging analytical thinking even for personal purchases. Pungwan’s efficient time management allowed her to balance academics with extensive extracurricular involvement, often driven purely by interest rather than portfolio-building.
Choosing Khon Kaen University
When it came time to choose a medical school, the family consulted 10 experts in the academic and medical fields. All recommended Khon Kaen University for its outstanding faculty, strong curriculum, and patient diversity, which would prepare her to serve society.
“KKU saw her potential – in her academic record, portfolio, and interview. I believe the Faculty of Medicine has gained a student who will make them proud, and my daughter will bloom under the golden shower tree, bringing honor to KKU,” Prof. Dr. Pungpond said.
Advice for Future Medical Students
Pungwan encourages aspiring doctors to build self-confidence and break long-term goals into achievable steps. “Start small, stay consistent, and believe in yourself. Being a doctor is not just a career – it’s a lifelong commitment to helping others.”
