Thai Education System

[Bob]

While reviewing the 1997 Thai Consitution regarding other issues, I came across the following section (under Chapter III titled "Rights and Liberties of the Thai People"):

Section 43 []
A person shall enjoy an equal right to receive the fundamental education for the duration of not less than twelve years which shall be provided by the State thoroughly, up to the quality, and without charge. In providing education by the State, regard shall be had to participation of local government organisations and the private sector as provided by law. The provision of education by professional organisations and the private sector under the supervision of the State shall be protected as provided by law.

I've asked a few Thai friends over the years about the Thai educational system and I've been consistently told that the first 8 years ("elementary" and/or "elementary and middle school" as the west would know it) are provided for free [although I note Amaretto has just posted a story in the Global Forum of a 6-year-old in Samut Prakan who claims he begs on the street because he doesn't have " money to pay for my studies in a school"].

And everyone has told me that there are many fees for books and other things for grades 9 through 12 (our highschool equivalent?) and that is why many Thai youth stop their education after 8 years. Based on what I've
been told, grades 9-12 are hardly provided "without charge" as the Constitution seems to demand.

Anyone have some actual knowledge they can share on this topic? I'm just curious.

[AMARETTO-old]

Bob, do you think a 6 years old children can go to school by his own? Remember, who pay for the bicycle to go to school, who pay for their black shoes, short pants, white shirts, bag to carry the books and so on, food, sport clothes..... ???


A person shall enjoy an equal right to receive the fundamental education for the duration of not less ......and without charge

Yes, they enjoy an equal right to recieve an education but not equal rights to go to school.
In the story of "Neung", his parents are beggars and probably be beggars all their life and surely they never get school education. Money don't solve all those problems and if the politicians want all the children go to school they must care the whole family's conditions.

[Bob]

Sure I understand that (that some families are so poor they can't afford transportation to school, clothes, food, etc..) but that wasn't my question.

My question is whether anyone has some knowledge about what fees, etc., that schools in Thailand charge their students (at the highschool level or, possibly, at the elementary school level). Anyone know?


P.S. I suppose the question is a bit moot now since some flunky with a gun just declared the Thai constitution revoked. But, I still would appreciate a reply from anyone that has some knowledge in this area.

My question is whether anyone has some knowledge about what fees, etc., that schools in Thailand charge their students (at the highschool level or, possibly, at the elementary school level). Anyone know?
.

I sponsor a couple of kiddies through a UK charity that works with other foundations here in Thailand by amongst other things providing the cost of educational fees and costs for uniforms/food/transport/ It is a registred charity in the UK so I am quite happy to contribute to the cause.

You could always look/ ask here: www.pattayastreetkids.org (http://www.pattayastreetkids.org)

[Bob]

Thanks, Naughty, for the link. Impressive site and organization, makes one feel better that some of the kids are being helped.
The site doesn't, however, tell me much about the expected school costs.

I still would like to hear from anyone who has knowledge about the direct school costs/fees for thai elementary and highschool students.

Thanks, Naughty, for the link. Impressive site and organization, makes one feel better that some of the kids are being helped.
The site doesn't, however, tell me much about the expected school costs.

I still would like to hear from anyone who has knowledge about the direct school costs/fees for Thai elementary and highschool students.


I have just looked at the costs for the two kiddies that I sponsor for the current semester year.

7 years of age 3900 Baht (full year)

11 years of age 4800 baht. (full year)

Other figures shown are:

12- 17 years of age 5-8000 Baht depending on which courses the child is taking. A child following specialist courses like computing, engineering, design will cost more than than a child taking the standard curriculum without any add-ons.

What you have to remember is the basic curriculum is free to all children but any add-on courses are where the costs occur. My costs above include uniform/book/transport

I have always found the charity quick to respond to my own enquiries so you could always contact them with your query to get the latest costs for specific age groups.

The thing that attracted me to the charity was that they do not deduct any money for administration costs so the full 100% of any donations is used for the kiddies. The UK Charity Commission accounts also confirm that.

[Bob]

Admirable activity, Naughty.....and wonderful for the kids involved. I'll investigate further when I get a chance.