BANGKOK, Thailand – Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon, attended the first regular session (4th meeting) of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council for 2025. The meeting, presided over by Council Chairman Surajit Pongsingwitaya, was held at the Bangkok Metropolitan Council Chamber in the Irawat Pattana Building, Din Daeng.
During the session, Naruenanmon Huangsap, a Bangkok Council member representing Khlong Sam Wa district, raised a live interpellation regarding the suitability of school buildings in relation to student numbers. She highlighted that Khlong Sam Wa’s population has been steadily increasing and currently ranks as the most populous district in Bangkok. This surge has resulted in overcrowding in local schools, with two institutions facing urgent concerns:
- Wat Paen Thong School (Samwa Wittaya): A large school with an area of approximately five rai, comprising five buildings and accommodating around 1,100 students. The student population continues to grow, as the school is located in Soi Hathairat 39, a neighborhood with nearly 3,000 households. Parents and administrators have expressed a strong desire to introduce an English Program (EP), but the current classroom capacity is insufficient. Given the available land within the school, it is proposed that a new three- to four-story building be constructed to house EP classrooms for students from Grades 1 to 6, enhancing educational opportunities in the district.
- Wat Buakhao School: Covering nearly four rai, this school has around 730 students, but its student population has been declining due to its distance from residential communities. Unlike Wat Paen Thong School, which requires more buildings, Wat Buakhao School seeks to demolish one of its existing structures—a deteriorating 300-square-meter building—to create an open recreational space. This would allow students to engage in physical activities and sports, promoting their overall development beyond academics.
In response, Governor Chadchart acknowledged that shifting population patterns are causing imbalances in school enrollment across the city. While some inner-city schools experience declining student numbers and repurpose classrooms as teacher accommodations, suburban schools are facing overcrowding. This trend also affects public health centers, hospitals, and infrastructure, necessitating strategic budget planning for future projects.
Deputy Governor Sanon added that funding for the expansion of Wat Paen Thong School has already been allocated for the 2025 fiscal year. Moreover, Bangkok will be expanding English Programs in five additional schools this year, subject to feasibility assessments in terms of facilities and teaching staff. The city is also considering launching an International Program or establishing a fully international school, with the proposal included in the 2025 budget review.
Regarding Wat Buakhao School, the Bangkok Education Department and district authorities have been tasked with evaluating the structural integrity of its buildings. If any are deemed unsafe, they will be decommissioned and replaced with new structures. In the interim, students will be relocated to available classrooms within the school. Bangkok’s civil engineering team will conduct further inspections and provide recommendations accordingly. (BMA)
