Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

“From the Royal park to the number 1 Rajabhat University”: More than seven decades, Suan Sunandha was once the royal garden, surrounded by varieties of flowers in the precinct of Dusit Palace, for leisure of King Rama V and the royal family. The name “Uttanyan Sunandha” or “Sunandha Royal Garden” was dubbed from name of Indra God’s garden in the paradise, and is also the name of King Rama V’s favorite and beloved queen – Queen Sunandha Kumareerattana. The 32 buildings within Suan Sunandha were built in the Reign of King Rama VI for being the residence of the royal consorts and concubines of King Rama V, including the courtiers. The most grandeur building belonged to one of the Royal Consort, H.H. Princess Saisavali Bhiromya, who later founded a lady school named “Nibhakarn”, aiming to train the royal etiquette and manner for the royal young ladies as well as the ladies from noble families.

The Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 had made a big impact towards the Royal households. A lot of royal members and courtiers resided in Suan Sunadha felt unsecure about the situation; consequently, they left the place. The beauty and splendid of Suan Sunandha, including Nibhakarn School were no longer existed. It was until the reign of King Rama VIII, the once-decayed Suan Sunandha was back to life.

In 1937, the cabinet had made a consensus to make use of Suan Sunadha space as a lady school named “Sunandha Wittayalai School”, offering the lower teaching certificate.

In 1975, the Ministry of Education elevated the school to a higher education institution according to 1975 Teacher Education Act under the name “Suan Sunadha Teacher’s College”, offering three levels of education – higher education, secondary education and elementary education (the latter two were known as demonstration or lab school.)

The 14th of February 1992 was a remarkable day of 36 teacher colleges nationwide since King Rama IX, the present King Bhumibhol, had graciously granted the name “RAJABHAT INSTITUTE” (Rajabhat means the fellows of the king) to all colleges and Suan Sunadha Teacher’s College became known as Rajabhat Institute Suan Sunandha.

In 2004, the “RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY” act was endorsed. As a result, Suan Sunandha has become Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University – the university for local development and the national intellectual reinforcement, since then.