Suankularb Wittayalai School (โรงเรียนสวนกุหลาบวิทยาลัย; Abbreviation: ส.ก. / S.K.) (also known as Suankularb College) literally ''Rose Garden College'' is an all-boys secondary school for grades 7 through 12 in
Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...
,
Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
. Founded by King
Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his death in 1910 was cha ...
in 1882 as a peer's school, its purpose was to educate the children of nobility and the royal household. Suankularb is the oldest public secondary school in the country. Suankularb alumni include eight
Prime Ministers of Thailand, nine
Supreme Court
In most legal jurisdictions, a supreme court, also known as a court of last resort, apex court, high (or final) court of appeal, and court of final appeal, is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...
Chief Justices, five attorneys general, two
Fortune Global 500
The ''Fortune'' Global 500, also known as Global 500, is an annual ranking of the top 500 corporations worldwide as measured by revenue. The list is compiled and published annually by '' Fortune'' magazine.
Methodology
Until 1989, it listed o ...
chief executives
A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a chief executive or managing director, is the top-ranking corporate officer charged with the management of an organization, usually a company or a nonprofit organization.
CEOs find roles in variou ...
, scholars, as well as a number of prominent politicians and businessmen. Suankularb is a member of
Jaturamitr group of the four oldest boys' schools in Thailand.
History
"Suankularb" means 'rose garden' in Thai, as the original school was in the area of a rose garden in the
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace (, Royal Institute of Thailand. (2011). ''How to read and how to write.'' (20th Edition). Bangkok: Royal Institute of Thailand. . ) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the officia ...
. The school was established by King Chulalongkorn on 29 August 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 grew quickly, changing its focus from military training to a more broadly-based curriculum that reflected the needs of its students. The number of students rapidly swelled to many hundreds. 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) in 1910. 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 by King
Rama V
Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his ...
. At this event he declared the importance of education as a means of developing the country.
The school has two shrines. The first, called Luang Phor Suankularb, is a metal Buddha donated by King Rama V. The second, in the shape of a many-armed elephant and with a water display, is called "Luang Phor Poo" and is 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.
For over a century, Suankularb's alumni have played important social, political, governmental, military, and academic roles in Thailand. During its early days, English expatriates served as the board of directors, and made it possible for notable school leavers, such as MR Kukrit Pramoj, to continue their studies abroad at institutions such as Oxford University. Early alumni formed a major group of Thai scholars sent to study abroad yearly under the King's Scholarships, and later Thai government scholarships. Upon their return, they worked mostly in government agencies and academic institutions and helped in modernizing the country.
King
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 192713 October 2016), titled Rama IX, was King of Thailand from 1946 until Death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej, his death in 2016. His reign of 70 years and 126 days is the longest of any List of Thai mo ...
gave Suankularb an award for being the best school in the country between 1973 and 1975. Students won first prize in the
King's Scholarship and in the Mathematics Association of Thailand'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 King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 30 July 1984. Every year on 29 August – the founding day of the school – all O.S.K ("Old Suankularb") students assemble in front of Building Six where they pay respects to the large statue of King Rama V there. An auditorium was built in 1995 and opened that year by Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The teaching of science and technology has been a central policy of the school. The school possesses an extensive library, with some rare and valuable books donated by former Prime Minister Thanin Kraivixien.
School colours
* Pink, the colour for Tuesday, is the day King
Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his death in 1910 was cha ...
was born.
* Blue, the colour for Friday, is the day the school was created, and the day that
Queen Siphatcharindra was born.
Alumni
Prime Ministers of Thailand
*
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada (, ; 15 July 1884 – 1 October 1948), born Kon Hutasingha (or Hutasingh, , ) and simply known as Phraya Mano, was a Siamese nobleman who served as the first Prime Minister of Thailand, prime minister of Siam after ...
(Kon Hutasingha)
*
Tawee Boonyaket
*Mom Rajawongse
Seni Pramoj
*
Pridi Phanomyong
Pridi Banomyong (, , ; 11 May 1900 – 2 May 1983), also known by his noble title Thai_nobility#Noble_titles, Luang Praditmanutham (), was a Thai lawyer, professor, activist, politician, and senior statesman. He served in multiple ministerial p ...
or Luang Praditmanutham
*Maj. Gen. Mom Rajawongse
Kukrit Pramoj
Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj (, , ; 20 April 1911 – 9 October 1995) was a Thai politician, author, scholar and professor. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand between 1973 and 1974. He was the thirteenth Prime Minister o ...
*
Thanin Kraivichien
*General
Prem Tinsulanonda
Prem Tinsulanonda (, , ; 26 August 1920 – 26 May 2019) was a Thai military officer, politician, and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1980 to 1988.
During Prem’s tenure as prime minister, he was credited with end ...
*General
Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont (, , ; born 28 August 1943) is a Thai politician. He was the prime minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's interim government
A provisional government, also called an interim government, an emergency government, a trans ...
Supreme Commander of
Royal Thai Armed Forces
The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF; ; ) are the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Highest Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (จอมทัพไทย; ) is the King of Thailand. The armed forces are managed by the Minist ...
*General
Sunthorn Kongsompong
*General Mongkol Ampornpisit
*General
Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont (, , ; born 28 August 1943) is a Thai politician. He was the prime minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's interim government
A provisional government, also called an interim government, an emergency government, a trans ...
*General
Ruangroj Mahasaranon
Commander-in-Chief of
Royal Thai Army
The Royal Thai Army or RTA (; ) is the army of Thailand and the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
History
Origin
The Royal Thai Army is responsible for protecting the kingdom's sovereignty. The army was formed in 187 ...
*General
Prem Tinsulanonda
Prem Tinsulanonda (, , ; 26 August 1920 – 26 May 2019) was a Thai military officer, politician, and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1980 to 1988.
During Prem’s tenure as prime minister, he was credited with end ...
*General
Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont (, , ; born 28 August 1943) is a Thai politician. He was the prime minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's interim government
A provisional government, also called an interim government, an emergency government, a trans ...
Others
*
Bidyalongkorn
*
Phrathepyanmahamuni
*
Pin Malakul
*Panupong Pituksung
*
Phon Sangsingkeo
*
Somsak Jeamteerasakul (90)
*
Newin Chidchob (90)
*
Watana Muangsook (90)
*
Toon Bodyslam (115)
*Godji
Tachakorn Boonlupyanun
Tachakorn Boonlupyanun (; born 2 September 1985), also known as Godji (), is a Thai actress, television host, producer, and creative director affiliated with GMMTV. She gained prominence as a co-host of the long-running travel and lifestyle show ...
(121)
*Tay
Tawan Vihokratana (128)
*March
Chutavuth Pattarakampol (129)
*Singto
Prachaya Ruangroj (130)
*Gunsmile Chanagun Arpornsutinan (132)
*James
Teeradon Supapunpinyo (133)
*Bright
Vachirawit Chivaaree
Vachirawit Chivaaree (; born 27 December 1997), professionally recognised as Bright Vachirawit or Bright (), is a Thai actor, singer and entrepreneur. He is known for his role in the film '' Love You To Debt'', '' Congrats My Ex!'', in series '' ...
(134)
*Gulf
Kanawut Traipipattanapong (134)
*Sky
Wongravee Nateetorn (134)
*First Chalongrat (134)
*First
Kanaphan Puitrakul
Kanaphan Puitrakul (; born 3 September 1998), nicknamed First (), is a Thai actor, model and television host under GMMTV. He is best known for his roles in the series ''Not Me (TV series), Not Me'' (2021), ''The Eclipse (TV series), The Eclipse' ...
(135)
*Boom Tharatorn Jantharaworakarn (135)
*Satang
Kittiphop Sereevichayasawat (138)
*Ford Allan Asawasuebsakul (139)
*Hong Pichetpong Chiradatesakunvong (140)
*Khunpol Pongpol Panyamit (140)
*Barcode Tinnasit Isarapongporn (141)
*Fong Patk Teeradejanon (142)
*Peem Wasupon Pornpananurak (143)
*Noeul Nuttarat Tangwai
Traditions
Suankularb Wittayalai School has many traditional events., including La-on Day, Samarnmitr Day, and Chak-Yao Day.
On La-on day all Matayom 6 students welcome first-year students to the school. It contains around six 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, Matayom 6 student bands play a concert.
On Samarnmitr Day students and alumni come to Suankularb Wittayalai School. There are booths from every class, souvenirs, a soccer match, a mini concert from band, and additional activities that change from year to year. In the evening is an activity called "SK Jazz", a performance by the school orchestra and teachers.
Chak-Yao Day is the final examination day of Matayom 6 students, their last day at the school. All Matayom 6 students come and dine together with their teachers. After the dinner each class of Matayom 6 sit together in a circle and make a short speech. At the end of the event they sing a "Chompoo-Fah ar lai" song together.
Other events include:
*Rub Kwan Se-Ma day (Thai: วันรับขวัญเสมา)
*Muthitachit day (Thai: วันมุทิตาจิต)
*Introducing Activity day (Thai: วันแนะนำกิจกรรม)
*Orientation Camp (Thai: เข้าค่ายปฐมนิเทศ)
Events
*
Jaturamitr Samakkee Traditional football competition (with
Debsirin School,
Assumption College, and
Bangkok Christian College, biannually)
*Suankularb Exhibition (every four years)
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Boys' schools in Thailand
Educational institutions established in 1882
Phra Nakhon district
Schools in Bangkok
1882 establishments in Siam