Debsirin School


Debsirin School is a boys' secondary school in Thailand. Founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1885, its alumni include King Ananda Mahidol, Malaysia's founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman, more than 70 cabinet members, including five prime ministers, and numerous military leaders and dignitaries. Debsirin School participates in Jaturamitr Samakkee, a biennial traditional football competition between the four oldest boys' schools in Thailand.

History

The fifth Abbot of Wat Thep Sirin Thrawat had donated land for a school as early as 1702.
King Mongkut had tried to modernize Siam, enabling it to stand up to the European powers. He was succeeded by his 15-year-old son, Chulalongkorn, who reigned as Rama V, now known as Rama the Great. Rama V was the first Siamese king to have a Western education, having been taught by a British governess, Anna Leonowens. As Bangkok developed as the capital of the new nation of Siam, Rama V's government began several nationwide development projects, despite financial hardship. New roads, bridges, railways, hospitals and schools mushroomed throughout the country, all funded from the national budget.
In a speech at a student award ceremony in 1884, the King said;
In 1885, he founded the school, naming it in honour of his mother, Debsirindra Queen Ramphoei Phamaraphirom. The school opened with 53 pupils.
In 1902, the first school building was opened, and King Chulalongkorn named it the "Maen Naruemit Building."
During World War II Thailand, under Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram, was allied with the Axis powers and declared war on the United Kingdom and United States when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Bangkok suffered heavily in the subsequent Bombing of Bangkok in [World War II|Allied bombing raids] and Debsirin School, strategically located near the railway, was not spared. Most teaching buildings were destroyed. They were later rebuilt by the alumni and the Ministry of Education. The main building, renamed Maen Suksa Stan Building, was built in the Gothic style.
Today, Debsirin School has a strong alumni network under royal patronage, several prime ministers of Thailand and members of the royal family. The school also operates as a living museum, containing exhibits on the history of the school and the development of Thai education.

Facts

  • School Abbreviation : D.S.
  • Type of School : Government Boys' Secondary School
  • School Motto : Na siyā lokavaḍḍhano
  • School Vision : To be a leading organization of learning to international standards. Develop learners for excellence. Have virtue, morality and gentleness. Have the skills to live, aware sense of Thainess and be a world potential citizen.

Curriculum

Lower Secondary
  • English Program
  • Mini English Program
  • Standard Curriculum Program
  • Enrichment Program of Science, Mathematics, Technology and Environment
  • Gifted Science and Mathematics Program
  • Chinese Program
Higher Secondary
  • Science-Math Program
  • Enrichment Program of Science, Mathematics, Technology and Environment
  • Gifted Science and Mathematics Program
  • English Program
  • Intensive English Program
  • Arts-Math Program
  • Arts-Language Program
  • Intensive Chinese Program
  • Mini English Program

Surrounding places

Wat Debsirindrawas Ratchaworawiharn

Wat Debsirindrawas Ratchaworawiharn is a second class royal temple built at the command of King Rama V as a dedication to Queen Debsirindra, and named Wat Debsirindrawas in 1876. Important architecture includes the ordination hall of Wat Thepsirin, which is large and beautifully decorated with gold leaf patterns and door and window arches, carved ceilings, and royal decorations. The ordination hall houses many important Buddha images, such as Phra Nirantarai, the Buddha image of King Rama IV, which was brought here in 1878 according to King Rama IV's wishes.

Notable alumni

Thai royalty
Prime ministers of Thailand
Prime ministers of Malaysia
Politician
Writer