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Suankularb Wittayalai School (also known as Suankularb College) (Template:Lang-th, lit. Rose Garden College) (13°44′34.02″N 100°29′53.37″E / 13.7427833°N 100.4981583°E / 13.7427833; 100.4981583) is an all-boys secondary school for grades 7th through 12th in Thailand. Founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1882, Suankularb is the oldest public secondary school in the country. Suankularb alumni include eight Prime Ministers of Thailand, nine Supreme Court Chief Justices, five attorneys general, Fortune Global 500 chief executive and chief financial officer, scholars, as well as a number of prominent politicians and businessmen. Suankularb is a member of Jaturamitr group of which members consist of four oldest boys' schools of Thailand.

History

"Suankularb" means "rose garden" in Thai, as the original school was located in the area of a rose garden in the Grand Palace. The school was established by King Chulalongkorn on 8 March 1882 and was originally for Royal Page Lieutenants; it has always benefited from royal patronage.

Under the patronage and guidance of King Chulalongkorn the school became popular and grew quickly, changing its focus from military training to a much more broadly-based curriculum that reflected the needs of its students. The number of students rapidly swelled to many hundreds, consequently some were relocated to other educational institutes outside the Grand Palace area (1893) such as Sunanthalai Garden and Thepsirin Temple school, and to its present site, originally donated by Wat Lieb (or Rachaburana Temple). The opening of the first building at this site (called the Memorial Suan Kularb Building, but known among students as "the long building" because for many years it was the longest building in the country) was presided over personally by His Majesty King Rama V. It was at this event that he famously announced the importance of education as a means of developing the country.

The school has two highly esteemed shrine, focal points for its considerable spirit of unity and identity. The first, called Luang Phor Suankularb, is a 9-inch-high (230 mm) metal Buddha donated by King Rama V. The second, in the shape of a many-armed elephant and with a beautiful water display, is called "Luang Phor Poo" and is located near the main entrance. It is thought to house the protective spirit of the place (known as "Grandfather"), with students making daily offerings of flower garlands as a token of respect.

Suankularb Wittayalai is a famous male-only school in Thailand with over a century-old history and tradition. Students, alumni, teachers, as well as former teachers and personnel share a proud organization culture and identity. For over a century, Suankularb's alumni have played important roles in the modern history of Thailand. During its early days, English expatriates served as the board of directors, thus making it possible for notable school leavers, such as MR Kukrit Pramoj, to continue their studies abroad at notable institutions such as Oxford University. Indeed early alumni formed a major group of Thai scholars sent to study abroad yearly under the prestigious King 's Scholarships, and later Thai Government Scholarships. Upon their returns, they worked mostly in government agencies and academic institutions and helped in modernizing the country. Their names could be read like who-is-who in Thailand history for social, politics, government, military, and academy. It is often said, and not solely in jest, that Suankularb is the school of future Thai Prime Ministers.

Notable proud achievements of Suankularb include when H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej awarded Suankularb for being the best school in the country between 1973–75. Students have also won first prize in the King's Scholarship, in the Shell Company of Thailand's English quiz, and in the Mathematics Association of Thailand's math's quiz.

In 1981 a multi-purpose building and gymnasium known as building number six was built to commemorate the school's centennial. It was opened by the present King, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on July 30, 1984. Every year on the eighth of March – the founding day of the school – all O.S.K ("Old Suankularb") students assemble in front of building six where they pay respect and express gratitude to the large statue of King Rama V which is located there. A great auditorium was built in 1995 and opened that year H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The teaching of science and technology has been a central policy of the school. The school also possesses an extensive library, some books considerably rare and valuable and donated by former PM Thanin Kraivixien.

Facts

• School Address : 88 Tripetch Road, Wang Burapapirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
• School Area : Approximately 4.6 Acres
• School Abbreviation : S.K.
• Type of School : Government Boys' Secondary School (195 teachers and 3,918 students)
• School Motto : (Pali) Suvijāno bhavaṃ hoti, He who knows well will progress
• School Vision : "Suankularb Wittayalai School is the engine of the leadership of Thai society. We place a premium on ethics, followed by the acquisition of knowledge. Our school fosters standout pupils who keep themselves abreast of the development of science and technology to achieve an international standard. The result is exceptional members of Thai society who find personal contentment based on a deep understanding of Thai culture and the sustainability thereof."

School Emblem

A book, with a ruler, pen and pencil inserted in the book. On the cover of the book, is a royal headdress (the "Pra Kiew" symbol) and H.M. King Chulalongkorn's initials. On the right side, there is a bouquet of roses. To the left of the book, a ribbon tying the bouquet of roses with the name of the school written on it. On the top, the Buddhist philosophy and moral principle in Pali and Thai which means : "He who knows well will progress"

School Colours

• Pink is the colour for Tuesday, the day that H.M. King Chulalongkorn was born.
• Blue is the colour for Friday, the day that Queen Siphatcharindra was born and also the birthday of the school itself.

Alumni

Statesman of Thailand

• Pridi Phanomyong or Luang Praditmanutham (Senior Statesman)
• General Prem Tinsulanonda

Prime Ministers of Thailand

• Phraya Manopakorn Nititada (Kon Hutasingha)
• Tawee Boonyaket
• Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj
• Pridi Phanomyong or Luang Praditmanutham
• Maj. Gen. Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj
• Tanin Kraivixien
• General Prem Tinsulanonda
• General Surayud Chulanont

Supreme Commander of Royal Thai Armed Forces

• General Sunthorn Kongsompong
• General Mongkol Ampornpisit
• General Surayud Chulanont
• General Ruangroj Mahasaranon

Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army

• General Prem Tinsulanonda
• General Surayud Chulanont

Other

• Phrathepyanmahamuni
• Pin Malakul
• Khajohnkiat Kantawang
• Panupong Pituksung

Traditions

Suankularb Wittayalai School has many traditional events. This writing will talk about 3 major events of this school which are La-on Day, Samarnmitr Day, and Chak-Yao Day.

Let’s start with La-on day. On this day, all matayom 6 students prepare this event for welcoming all first year students to the school, and make a good impression to them. It contains around 6 stations that were created by each group of matayom 6 students, and each station has a souvenir to give to matayom 1 students. At the end of the day, it will be a mini concert played by the matayom 6 student bands.

Second is Samarnmitr Day. This day acts like re-union day because students from every branch and alumni will come to Suankularb Wittayalai School and celebrate together. This day will have booths from every class, souvenirs, soccer match, the mini concert from the popular band, and some additional activities that will be different in each year. At the evening, it has an activity called “SK Jazz” which is the show from school orchestra band and teachers, and this is also the major part that many alumni are interested to watch. Because their teachers will show something that they cannot imagine their teacher will ever do.

Last event is Chak-Yao Day. This event will take place in the last final examination day of matayom 6 students, which is the last day of their secondary school life. This is the evening event that let all matayom 6 students come and have dinner together at school with their teachers. The purpose of this event is to make the last memory of their school life together, they will take lots of pictures, go to thanks their teacher, and celebrate with their friends. At that night, after the dinner. It is the time that each class of matayom 6 will sit together in the circle. All of them are going to say something that they want to tell their friends from the mind. At the end of the event, they will sing a “Chompoo-Fah ar lai” song together, and yell out the “Boom Suan” song at last.

All of these events are the events that very impress in all of Suankularb Wittayalai student mind whether how long the time is passed.

There are many tradition events that didn't talk about in this article such as:

• Rub Kwan Se-Ma day (Thai : วันรับขวัญเสมา)
• Muthitachit day (Thai : วันมุทิตาจิต)
• Introducing Activity day (Thai : วันแนะนำกิจกรรม)

Events

• Jaturamitr Traditional football league (with Debsirin School, Assumption College, and Bangkok Christian College, biannually)
• Suankularb Exhibition (every four years)

Student Organization

Student Committee

• Suankularb Wittayalai Student Committee (SKSC)

Clubs (Updated Since 2013 by Club Coordinator : Suankularb Wittayalai Student Committee 132)

• Mathematics Club
• Scout Club
• A-Math Club
• Thai Culture Club
• SK Go Club
• Chorus Club
• Suankularbs' Family Club
• UNESCO Club
• Suan Health Club
• SK Communication Club
• Robotics Club
• Cheer Club
• Harmonic Music Club
• Art Club
• Technic Club
• Robot Maker Club
• Student Superintendent Club
• SK Band Club
• Hotel Club
• Thai Language Club
• Basketball Club
• Resources Conservation Club
• ASPA Club
• Magic Club
• Jeenjik Club
• Buddhist Club
• Computer Club
• Thai Traditional Music Club
• Photo Club
• French Language Club
• Public Relations Club
• B-Boy Club
• Art of Writing Club
• Hobby Club
• AirsoftGun Club
• SK Military Band Club
• Lakornsuan Club
• Poo Kan Ban Club
• Game Card Club
• Astronomy Club
• Library Club
• Science Club

References

1. http://www.pttplc.com/en/about-ptt-organization-executive.aspx
2. http://www.osknetwork.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3675

External links

• Official School Website
• Unofficial School Webboard
• Official alumni website
• Location and contact info

• Schools in Bangkok
• Educational institutions established in 1882
• Boys' schools in Thailand
• Phra Nakhon District