This year, Choate is continuing its participation in a highly unique international program: The Royal Thai Scholars Program. This prestigious event has its roots in the year 1897 when Thailand’s King Rama V instituted the King’s Scholarship program, sending personally selected young scholars over to Western universities. These students would then return to Thailand with their new knowledge, helping greatly to further development of the nation, especially in areas such as technology and science. Since this time, the program has undergone an evolution in the way that the scholars are selected: Rather than being hand-chosen by the King, students nationwide are administered a series of exams, which determine who will participate in what is now called the Royal Thai Scholar Program. The exams are incredibly difficult and competitive, proving that the students who are selected are indeed the best and brightest of Thailand.
Somewhere between fifty and fifty-five students are sent to American boarding schools each year to begin their studies as high school post-graduates. Two of these students are sent to any particular school; in addition to Choate, schools like Andover, Exeter, and Deerfield take part in the program. Each of these students has a different type of contract, which may come from various sources. Some are King’s Scholars, who are supported as undergraduates and are allowed free study in humanities and science. Other students have more specific contracts from areas of the Thai government or companies in Thailand. Depending on their contracts, students who return to Thailand after completing their college education have different work requirements to fulfill, although King’s Scholars have to, in general, work for fewer years.
Choate’s two Royal Thai Scholars this year are Chuayrach “Paan” Wongrattananon ’08 and Boonyanuch “Prae” Numswangneth ’08, who are both fulfilling a post-graduate year at Choate in order to get used to American culture and academic life before departing for college. “They’re incredibly serious about their academic preparation,” says Raymond Diffley III, Director of Admissions at Choate, who finds the studious nature of the Thai Scholars to be “humbling.”
Prae is at Choate on a King’s Scholarship. While she enjoys all academic subjects, she says that she is most inclined towards math and science. “I like chemistry and biology,” remarks Prae, “so I might study biochemistry in college.” As far as extracurricular activities go, she is looking forward to trying out for a play in the winter, and trying archery in the spring. Paan’s studies in the program are disposed towards chemical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering because his scholarship comes from P.T.T.E.P., a Thailand petroleum company. “I prefer petroleum engineering, so I think I’ll focus on that as a major,” says Paan. After he completes his education, he has to return to Thailand to spend five years working for P.T.T.E.P. to fulfill his contract. “But I get paid!” Paan is quick to point out.
Both Paan and Prae say they enjoy Choate very much, and find their new surroundings very accommodating, even though they both are still adapting. “People here are very friendly,” says Paan. “They help me with everything.” Prae contrasts Choate the high school she attended previously: “My old school had 4,800 students, but it wasn’t this big- it was very compact.” As far as their workloads so far, they agree that Choate is academically challenging. “I have to spend almost all of my time studying,” laughs Paan. The Thai Scholars were required to watch The Terminal, a film about a foreign man who finds himself stuck in the unfamiliar environment of an American airport. “I feel like him,” explains Paan, who is undoubtedly somewhat taken aback by the alien nature of his new location. However, he does express that Choate feels more and more comfortable to him as time goes on.
The Royal Thai Scholars program is a tremendous opportunity for Choate to be taking part in. If their early testimonies are anything to go by, it seems that Paan and Prae are in for a rigorous and fulfilling academic year as they prepare for their college endeavors. “In [the faculty’s] opinion, it’s a home run,” says Mr. Diffley.
