Poonsapaya Noppawong Ayutthaya

Thanphuying Poonsapaya Navawongs na Ayudhya (, also spelled Poonsap Noppawong; 12 October 1910 – 23 October 2015) was a Thai educator. She was a professor at Chulalongkorn University, where she founded the Faculty of Education and was its first dean, and contributed extensively to the development of teacher education and education administration in Thailand. She has been recognized as one of the foremost contributors to education in the country.

Early life Poonsapaya was born on 12 October 1910 in tambon Si Kak Phraya Si (now in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon District). She was originally named Nu .

Career Poonsapaya worked at Chulalongkorn University, the alma mater from which she graduated in 1931. After the war, Poonsapaya briefly audited at Columbia University before returning to Thailand. (She would later receive a graduate diploma in education administration from Columbia in 1963.)

Personal life and recognition Poonsapaya also worked toward the advancement of women. She founded the Thailand chapter of Zonta International, as well as the Thai Association of University Women. Her cremation on 5 June 2016 was presided over by Princess Sirindhorn.

Poonsapaya received multiple honours and awards for her work. She was appointed Dame Grand Commander of the Order of Chula Chom Klao in 1986, granting her the title Thanphuying. Chulalongkorn University named her its first Venerable Professor in 1990. The Teachers' Council honoured her as an exceptional contributor to national education in 1992. The National Identity Commission named her National Outstanding Person in 2003. In 2009, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society, and named a National Senior Citizen by the National Older Persons Commission.