Prince Royal's College

The Prince Royal's College (Thai: โรงเรียนปรินส์รอยแยลส์วิทยาลัย) is a private Christian school serving the education needs of over 6,000 students per year in grades kindergarten through 12th grade in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

History

On March 19, 1887,^[1] Rev. David G. Collins, an American missionary under Daniel McGilvary's Laos Mission of the Presbyterian Church in USA, founded the "Chiengmai Boys School" which was the first boys school in Northern Thailand. Within ten years, the school had outgrown its facilities and a larger campus was needed. At that time a young missionary, Rev. Dr. William Harris, had taken over the management of the school and he searched for a suitable site. A large tract of land was found, and with their own money and some donations from friends, Rev. Dr. Harris and his wife purchased the land and moved the school.

On January 2, 1906, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Maha Vajiravudh, came to the school and laid the cornerstone for the first classroom building. At this time His Royal Highness renamed the school The Prince Royal's College. He also gave the school his royal colors, white and blue.

Over the years that the Harrises were at the school (1895 to 1939), it continued to grow. Campus expansions were needed to teach the many students who wanted to study at the college. This was a great challenge for a small school that had little money. Rev. Dr. Harris, however, was never shy about asking for financial help from any foreigner or wealthy Thai he might meet, either in Thailand or during his travels abroad.

Notable alumni

• Kasem Watthanachai - Privy counselor
• So Asanajinda - Writer
• Natthaphong Samana - Thai National Team football player

Former principals, managers, and director

• Rev. David Ghromley Collins, Principal (1887–1899)
• Rev. Dr. William Harris, Principal (1899–1939)
• Rev. Dr. Kenneth Elmer Wells, Principal (1940–1941), Manager (1946–1950)
• Muak Chailangkarn, Principal (1946–1948, 1951–1967), Manager (1951–1967)
• Kamrab Chaiyaphan, Principal (1949–1951, 1967–1970), Manager (1967–1970)
• Dr. Chamroon Chailangkarn, Principal and Manager (1971–1991)
• Pong Tananone, Director (1991–2005)
• Dr. Sirilak Fuangkarn, Director (2005-2012)

Activities

There are many different kind of activities. The ultimate aim of the activity is the development of character and making the students be skilled worker

• Scouting

The Prince Royal’s College has scouts in the course for young students. The aim of this subject is to support the students in their physical, mental and spiritual development. On February 2, 2009, Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visited his honored scout in this school.

• Gifted Program

The Prince Royal’s College focuses on English, mathematics and computer programs. They have a program for gifted students or students that are interested in those subjects.

• Sufficiency economy

The Prince Royal’s College is supported by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) by building activities about sufficiency economy such as “Bottle Bank”, “1 person 1 job” and “Saving money”.

• Spiritual development week

Every year, Christian Communications Institute (CCI) from Payap University has a show about the story of god and faith for moral and ethical development.

• Music night

Music night is an annual event that is held before the school closes for Christmas. This event gives students an opportunity to conduct a musical performance.

See also

• Dara Academy, sister school
• Education in Thailand
• Laos Mission

References

1. 1 2 Prince Royal's College history

External links

• The Prince Royal's College
• The Prince Royal's College, English Page

Coordinates: 18°47′52″N 99°00′24″E / 18.7978°N 99.0068°E / 18.7978; 99.0068