The visit began with Professor Pasuk talking about her own background. She described her childhood, when she would wake up before dawn every morning to board a steamboat to take her to school in Bangkok, and her days at university, where she studied hard, day and night, to achieve her ambition to become an economist. She also talked about the years after she returned to Thailand with Dr. Baker.

“Ever since I was a child, I have been interested in literature, history, the world, society, politics and humanity. Today, I am engaged in my earliest love, which is literature.”

Next, Dr. Baker looked back on his own life, describing how he read many books as a child, and how he traveled the world before entering university. He talked about his new life in Thailand after moving there with Prof. Pasuk, whom he met at university. Prof. Pasuk expressed her joy at receiving the Fukuoka Prize, saying, “We have managed to make something positive out of our differences－male and female, Thai and British, economist and historian.”

When asked by one of the students how to become an independent woman, Prof. Pasuk advised, “Discover your own values and strive to understand others.” In response to the question,“ How can I play an active role in the world?,” Dr. Baker said, “Constantly learn new things and do not be afraid of change.”