Fifty students from Kuching Reupah School along with teachers and civil servants from Narathiwat board a C130 plane to join the royal-sponsored cremation for teacher Juling Panganmoon.

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralong-korn and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represented their Majesties the King and the Queen yesterday, presiding over the royal-sponsored cremation of teacher Juling Panganmoon, who died a victim of the ongoing strife while working in the troubled South.

The nation extended condolences for the Chiang Rai native also, with activities to commemorate her death taking place throughout Thailand.

More than 1,000 people, including teachers, school and government officers from all over the country joined the cremation to bid farewell for Khru ("teacher") Juling at Wat Pongsanook in Chiang Rai's Doi Luang subdistrict.

Yesterday was Teachers' Day in Thailand.

The Prime Minister attended the ceremony and granted the Idealistic Teacher award to the slain teacher's family. Juling was the first teacher to receive the newly-established award for teachers who demonstrate unusual idealism and commitment in the course of their duties.

The funeral rites were performed while an award-winning band played music, including a specially composed song "Teacher Juling" with lyrics that describe the tragedy that befell the young woman from the North.

About 80 students and teachers from Narathiwat's Ban Kuching Reupah School attended the ceremony. The students brought works of art, which were the last assignment Juling gave them before the drama that claimed her life.

School director Isman Muwansin said the office desk, chair and working instruments of Khru Juling would be kept to remember her.

An elementary school teacher, Juling passed away at the age of 24. She went into a coma for nearly eight months after being severely beaten by residents who lived near the school where she taught.

Military officers who were on duty that dreadful day were also sent to join the funeral rite.

Pracha Terat, the Narathiwat governor at the time Juling was attacked, said yesterday the tragic drama that ended up claiming Juling's life was a memory he has been unable to forget, despite moving to become the governor of Chon Buri.

"As Narathiwat governor, who failed to save her life, I have great regret. Nowadays, whenever I hear the name of Khru Juling, I always feel pain that never fades away," he said.

Yesterday morning in Songkhla, some 300 teachers ceremonially presented food to monks to make merit on Teachers' Day on behalf of nearly 70 teachers who have been killed by militants in the far South.

Teachers have frequently been targeted by insurgents, along with soldiers, police, civil servants and local residents.

At Prince of Songkhla Hospital, where Juling spent the last days of her life, an exhibition of biographical works by Khru Juling has been opened, and people can give extend condolences and write a farewell note to her.

At Lampang Rajabhat University, where Juling graduated, a memorial park will be built in her memory by the university's officials and students.

Local residents and Tambon Pong Noi Administrative Organisation in Khru Juling's hometown, meanwhile, plan to build a community learning centre at Pong Noi Kindergarten in her honour.

A biographical record would be kept at the place so that younger generations can remember her.

Meanwhile, an education inspector for the Southern region yesterday revealed the insurgency's impact on educational standards in the three southernmost provinces.

At least 64 teachers have been killed in the area and some 1,600 have asked to be moved to other provinces.

Due to the unrest, the quality of teachers and student learning in the area was the lowest in the country, as could be seen from the unsatisfactory results from O-net tests undertaken by the students.