How Schools Shape Students in Thailand: A word from my students

As a teacher, I can only understand so much about what it truly feels like to be a student in Thailand. My own educational experience took place entirely in the United States, so I have often wondered how Thai students perceive their own schooling. Rather than relying on assumptions, I decided to ask them directly. I invited my 12th grade class to reflect on how Thai schools shape their education, character, and growth as young adults preparing for university and adulthood. What they shared revealed not only academic expectations, but also the deep cultural and social values embedded in Thai education.

By Sukollawat Inkham

Thai schools shape Thai children by functioning as micro-social environments, emphasizing nurturing rather than only academics. Education focuses on respecting rules, courtesy, and obedience to elders, while also teaching skills for co-existence, teamwork, and good citizenship. This prepares us to grow into well-rounded adults who meet societal standards. Thai schools cultivate culture and morality through activities such as patriotic ceremonies, religious studies, and civic duties, fostering gratitude and positive cultural values. Social education is key; schools serve as learning spaces to adapt to external environments and learn to coexist with others.

Discipline and social etiquette are instilled, encompassing school rules, uniforms, and respectful behaviors. This training helps children understand roles, responsibilities, and how to interact systematically. Modern Thai education is shifting away from theoretical learning to focus on life skills, emotional education, collaborative learning, and unity to keep pace with a changing world.

By Pasinee Pamonpol (Noey)

As people know, Thailand has a great educational curriculum. Thai people think education is crucial. Education can refer to your future job and salary. The more knowledge you have, the more your future will grow with your knowledge.

Thai students study hard. They study at least eight hours per day, and they have to remember more than 40 vocabularies in a day. In my experience, my family always supports me when I want to study in extra school classes. This shows that Thai people think education is very important. Especially for the future of their children and country.

To summarize, Thailand is a country with good education and ambitious goals for its future generations. That is why students have to study hard every year to make their futures bright.

By Panyawee Ruenrouy (Panya)

Respect is one of the most important values in Thai society. It means being polite, kind, and thinking about other people’s feelings. In Thailand, respect is shown not only by words but also by actions, such as doing the ‘wai’ and using polite language. This topic is important to me because I see respect in my daily life at school and at home, and it helps everyone live together peacefully.

In Thai society, respect is closely related to age and social position. Younger people are taught to respect elders, teachers, and monks. For example, students stand up when the teacher comes into the classroom and greet them politely every day. These behaviors show gratitude and good manners, which are very important in Thai culture.

Respect also means caring about other people’s feelings and keeping harmony. Thai people usually try to avoid conflict and speak gently to prevent arguments. In daily life and in the media, people who act politely are seen as well-mannered and admirable. This shows that respect is connected to kindness.

Respect in Thai society is not just a rule, but a way of life. It helps build strong relationships and creates harmony in school and in the community. 

  
In conclusion, through the reflections of Sukollawat Inkham, Pasinee Pamonpol, and Panyawee Ruenrouy, it becomes clear that Thai schools shape more than academic ability. 

They cultivate responsibility, ambition, and respect. While Sukollawat highlights the social and moral structure of schools, Pasinee emphasizes education as a path toward future success, and Panyawee reminds us that respect remains at the heart of Thai society. Together, their perspectives show that education in Thailand shapes both character and community.