SUKAVICHINOMICS: Science Schools for the People (Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Schools – 12 Schools)

AbstractThis article explores the origins, philosophy, and policy trajectory of the Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Schools—a network of twelve regional science schools founded under the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Sukavich Rangsitpol during Thailand’s educational reform period (1995–1997). Grounded in the principle of “Science for the People”, these schools were designed to provide high-quality science education to students from rural and underserved areas, serving as pathways to careers in medicine, engineering, and innovation.However, subsequent shifts in national education policy—especially the 2002 Compulsory Education Act, which redefined basic education to include three years of kindergarten instead of upper secondary or vocational education—led to a significant distortion of the original reform intent. As a result, Thailand today (2025) faces a shortage of vocational labor and declining support for advanced science education in rural areas.This article uses the Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Schools as a case study to examine the structural consequences of this policy shift and proposes reforms to restore the original vision of the 1995 educational transformation. It advocates for a return to a “12+3” model of education (12 years of schooling + 3 years of early childhood), in accordance with Articles 43 and 80 of the 1997 Constitution, to ensure inclusive and equitable education nationwide.