Patai Udom Suksa, a well-known private school in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, has become the latest private school to close its doors after 55 years in service.
The school administration sent a circular letter to all parents, dated December 1st, informing them of the decision to close the school at the end of the 2025 academic year. Parents are asked to attend a special meeting at the school tomorrow, during which they will be informed of the reasons for the school’s closure and the school’s plan to help students.
In the letter, the administration reported various problems and difficulties encountered in the past 10 years, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21.
It claimed that, last year alone, about 40 private schools closed because of a steady drop in new enrolments, due to the low birth rate, and the economic slowdown.
Meanwhile, the administration pointed out that expenses have increased, such as salary adjustments in line with the government’s policy, increases in labour and utilities costs, as well as costs to ensure the health of students, while revenues rarely increase in line with the rising costs. Moreover, numerous parents have defaulted on the payment of tuition fees, resulting in liquidity problems.
In 2023, the school administration explained that it had tried to cut costs by down-sizing, laying off some teachers and some staff, but the financial problems persist, necessitating the closure of the school as of May 2026.
Patai Udom Suksa School is a private school which has declined financial subsidies from the state. It was founded in 1971 by the late Khunying Udomlak Sriyanont, in memory of her husband, Pol Gen Phao Sriyanon, a police strongman known for his famous motto: “There is nothing under the sun that Thai police cannot do.”
The school is located on a 2.88 hectare plot of land on Vibhavadi Rangsit highway in Bang Khen district. It currently has 3,300 students, from kindergarten to the Mathayom Sueksa 3 (Grade 9) level. There are 29 administrators, 307 teachers and 20 other staff, including maids and security guards.
A number of parents were shocked when they learned about the decision, but some said that they were not overly concerned, because they have already considered new schools for their children.
