Our Story

Our wish to start a Waldorf school was humbly realized when a house in the south of Bangkok was available for rent at a friendly rate in 1996. With scarce funding, few staff, a handful of children, strong commitment, and untiring efforts, the impulse of Waldorf education was brought into practice.

At the time of the school's birth, the national curriculum, based on rote learning and fierce competition, was the only approved education approach in Thailand. Alternative education and homeschooling were not allowed. We urged and organised the other alternative educational approaches—Summerhill, Neo Humanist, Buddhist, and others—to campaign for freedom in education. The fight was fruitful, resulting in more openness in the new education act which recognizes alternative and innovative approaches.

In the early years few parents would think of enrolling their children in a school that was located in a house with a handful of students being educated with an unusual, unheard of approach. Those who actually did were happy to see their children thrive and be protected, though. Interest was thus increasingly engendered and the house was soon outgrown, precipitating the necessity of a physical expansion.

After 5 years of strivings despite enormous challenges in the pioneering efforts, given the social and educational conditions prevailing, the prospect of finding a permanent site for the school solidified when a patron made advance payment for the purchase of land in Saimai, northern suburb of Bangkok, for the school. However the construction costs had yet to be met. In the meantime another site was needed for immediate use of the growing school. A property in Bangna, south-west of Bangkok, was rented for this purpose in 2001.

The parents' and Freunde der Erziehungskunst's' continuous, tirelessly efforts in fundraising, plus contributions from the teachers, parents, patrons, and international friends finally enabled the school to build proper facilities where wholesome education for children could happen.

The building, designed by a parent, reflects much of the school's philosophy—traditional Thai knowledge applied to a modern design built with community involvement and support. Panyotai moved to its permanent school building in 2007.