For the past eight years, St Andrews International School Bangkok has proudly served as the official Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) centre for the Royal Thai Army. This unique opportunity is tailor-made for Thai youth in Key Stage 4 and 5 (Years 10-13) to fulfil their ROTC training, meeting the military service requirement before embarking on their university journey.
The ROTC programme spans three years, offering comprehensive military training for both boys and girls, transforming them into Army Reserves upon completion. Those who continue for an additional two years earn the esteemed Acting Sub Lieutenant rank. The programme, held mostly on Saturdays, is optional but highly rewarding. Participants, known as 'Territorial Defense Students' or 'Ror Dor' in Thai, not only meet their military obligations but also cultivate maturity, character, and leadership through a challenging physical training regimen.
Throughout the three-year course, students delve into basic and advanced topics such as radios, maps and navigation, weapons, military commands, and camping. The pinnacle of the programme is a one-week military camp immersed in the jungle and fields, a transformative experience that pushes students beyond their limits, strengthening both body and mind. Becoming an Army Reserve also brings the benefit of exemption from Thai army conscription, though active duty might be required in case of natural disasters or military emergencies.
This year's ROTC camp, situated in Khao Chon Kai, Kanchanaburi, Thailand, spanned four days with 59 enthusiastic participants under the watchful guidance of Khroo Boss and Khroo Jump. The accompanying photos vividly capture the joy and determination our students exhibited during the camp. Parents have shared their pride in witnessing their children overcome challenges, marking significant growth.
With a total of 99 Thai students enrolled in the ROTC programme this year, we celebrate the 18 students who completed the three-year training last year. This achievement not only reflects their personal growth but also signifies the fulfilment of their Thai Military service commitment before stepping into university or college. Well done to everyone involved!
The PIO-neers Foundation is a fully student-led initiative that brings coding, robotics, science, and English to underprivileged children through fun, hands-on workshops. Over the past year, students partnered with the Foundation for a Better Life of Children to deliver five engaging sessions—entirely planned, taught, and funded by the team. Their mission: to make learning interactive, inspiring, and accessible to all.
What happens when a group of curious Year 1 students walk into a classroom in chaos? A thrilling investigation begins! From scattered books to half-eaten snacks, the young detectives quickly got to work, uncovering a shocking truth—their mischievous toys had thrown an all-night party! But the excitement didn’t stop there. This unexpected event sparked a rich learning journey, helping students develop their literacy, critical thinking, and social skills in a fun and engaging way.
The Glowing Muons from St Andrews Bangkok have won the 2024 Outreach Award from CERN’s Beamline for Schools competition. Their commitment to making physics accessible through local science outreach has earned them a special SSVI telescope, signed by Nobel Laureates. This award celebrates their passion for inclusive and engaging science education.
On 12 March 2025, 29 students from St Andrews Bangkok proudly took part in Thailand’s first-ever multi-school Languages Olympiad, joining peers from 11 international schools for a day of language immersion, cultural exchange, and friendly competition. Our students showed great enthusiasm and teamwork, with several earning medals in French and Spanish. The event highlighted the power of language to connect people and celebrated the importance of multilingualism in today’s world.
