Education
Kru Boonchuay studied Thai classical music from his father, Choob Sowat since the young age. He proceeded to study at The College of Dramatic Arts, Fine Arts Department, majoring in Ranaad tum under Prasit Thaworn. When Bookchuay has mastered Phleng Cherd Chin 6 ชั้น, he was asked to create his own ranaad tum part. He also minored in Thai classical singing under important masters, namely Kru Jimlim Kultan, Kru Linchee Charucharana, Kru Usa Sukanthamalai, Kru Srinat Sermsiri, and furthered his singing studies with Kru Tuam Prasitthikul, Sepha recitation with Kru Prapan Sukhonthachat and Kru Prawet Kumut, and Thai stringed instruments with Kru Thongdee Sucharitkul.
When Kru Boonchuay was studying in the second year of Intermediate Level (equivalent to Year Eleven), he added Thai wind instrument to his studies. His teacher, Kru Tiab Khonglaithong, had taught him from the beginning to the advanced level in which he played solo pieces and mastered all wind instruments: pi nai, pi nawk, pi chava pi mon, and other wind instruments with no reed. Kru Boonchuay also studied pi phat mon and pi phat nang hong with Kru Mi Sabyen, Kru Pring Dontriros, Kru Pring Kanchanaphalin and Kru Ongkarn Kleebchuen; phleng kred, phleng ruang, phleng diaw for ranaad ek, ranaad tum and kong yai with Kru Sorn Wongkong.
Work Experience
When Kru Boonchuay was studying his first year in the Advanced Level, he was selected to join Thai Music Subdivision, Music Division, Fine Arts Department, as a student government officer, with Thai wind instruments as a major instrument, and commenced full government officer as he graduated in 1969. Later in 1971 he transferred to serve in a teaching position at The College of Dramatic Arts.
In 1983, as Chulalongkorn University was designing a Bachelor in Fine and Applied Arts program, the university invited Kru Bookchuay to take part. He then took a full-time position as Head of Thai Music and Acting Head of Thai Dance Departments, and remained a professor until his retirement. In 1986 he also start serving the university in Center for Cultural Promotion (presently Office of Art and Culture) as Assistant to the Director of the center. After his retirement in 2007 he was invite to continue serving at the office as Thai Classical Music Specialist overseeing creating Thai classical music composition, performance, recording, research, and disseminating Thai classical music.
