Ceremonies marking the event were held across the country. In Bangkok, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont presided over a rite hosted by the Education Ministry that included merit-making on behalf of teachers who have lost their lives in insurgent attacks in the southernmost provinces.

The Teachers' Council of Thailand honoured Juling Pangamoon and Prasarn Makchoo, who died in the unrest. Teacher Sirinart Thavornsuk - the colleague who survived the attack that led to Juling's death after nearly eight months in a coma - represented her to receive the award.

Sirinart said what she wanted most was peace in the South.

"What happened that day seems a nightmare that keeps haunting me," she said.

Teachers nationwide were honoured for outstanding work while Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an handed out awards for "good teachers in their hearts". Kanchana Chongderm, a teacher in Pattani who received an award, said she wanted to ask the government to bring back peace to the southern region as teachers were being killed weekly in the area.

"I don't want to see more teachers die," she said.

In the ceremony, Surayud paid his respects to Boonmee Nopprapai, an 81-year-old retired teacher who taught the premier when he was a high-school student  at St Gabriel's College.

Surayud said that only real teachers with spirit would be able to sacrifice themselves to make their students be good people.