Yupparaj Wittayalai School, aerial view. The three story building seen was the Ruean Petch Building. It was demolished and rebuilt using the remaining wood into the Ruean Kaew Building now situated at the side of the soccer field. The vendors around the filed here were there because of its being in the winter time during which the Winter Fair was held here at the time. (1953)
...The path to the countrys advancement is acquired through education His Majesty had a resolute determination that the new generation youth must be educated better than the people in His Majestys generation The quotation was part of King Rama V initiative on education which lead to the establishment of schools both in and outside of Bangkok as a learning source for common youth. The Yupparaj Wittayalai School was established under this initiative in 1809. It was first known as the Payap Region School or the Demonstration School of Payap Precinct.
At the first stage the school was in the pavilion inside the garden of Phraya Narisararachakit (Sai Chotikasathian) residence who was the Governor of the Payap Precinct. The site of the school was decided upon according to Somdej Krom Damrongrachanuphabs idea of having royal schools situated in temples or governors residences for close care and teaching convenience.
The early subjects taught in the school were native languages, the Central Thai language and vocational education subjects along with moral and behavior practices for the students to have good discipline and responsibility. The school accepted both boys and girls as students including monks and novices in the same class. Phra Uppakornsilapasat was the first principal from the governors residence. The Yupparaj School had been moved to many places, for example to the Vihara of Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phan Tao. On Decembe 24, 1905 King Rama VI who at the time held the position of the Crown Prince Vajiravudth visited the Payap Region and came to the school. Chao Inthawarorot Suriyawong offered his land in the area of his playhouse, east of Wat Muen Ngoen Kong which he inherited from the seventh ruler of Chiang Mai; Chao Inthawichayanon (1873-1896) to build the school. The Crown Prince named it Yupparaj Wittayalai School.
On September 23, 1956 the official opening of the Yupparaj Wittayalai School was held with Chao Inthawarorot Suriyawong, the ruler of Chiang Mai as the Chairman. Because the school was at the Klang Wiang Intersection the people called it Rong Rien Klang Wiang (klang wiang school or town center school).
The school is now a major school of the province. Besides its Mattayom classes form M.1-6 (grades 7-12), it had started the English Program (E.P.) curriculum in parallel with the regular programs.
References
Anu Noenhad, Pol. Lt. Col. (2000). Chiang Mai Sapa Ruang Tawa (Miscellaneous Chiang Mai yesterday). (in Thai). Chiang Mai:
Nopburi Printing.
Chiang Mai University Library
Chiang Mai
ntic@lib.cmu.ac.th
Chiang Mai University. Information Technology Service Center
Chiang Mai
itsc@itsc.cmu.ac.th
Chiang Mai University, Funder
Usanee Thongchai, Advisor and project expert
1953
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