


Thai Scholarship Students
Since 1991 the College has welcomed many outstanding young academics who win prestigious places on the programme in a national competition.
The Thai government fund the students through their A levels at the College and then through top UK universities. The scholars return home, often after completing doctoral study, and work in senior positions for the Thai government. In 2020-1 there were six Thai scholars at RIC and as always they brought a great deal of talent to Star Hill. As well as being exceptionally academically talented in STEM subjects and international Olympiad winners our scholars are also often accomplished artists, musicians and chess players. They also enjoy cultural events and exploring Kent and further afield in the UK. One of this year's scholars, Preeyaporn has kept a video blog of her extra curricular adventures here. Along with Nutthanon, another of this year's scholars, she is also an RIC Student Ambassador and has been blogging about her experiences as an RIC student on our website. Both are available on the site to message directly with prospective students and their parents about their experiences.
Jiryayus Jinapong, a Gold Medal winner in the International Mathematics Olympiad joined RIC in 2019 for a one year A level course. He has just finished his first year studying Maths at Trinity College, Cambridge. Jiryayus says: “At Rochester Independent College I was taught by teachers who are excellent in the subject. With the small class size, teachers were able to answer all questions, look closely at the individual process, and give constructive feedback to homework. In addition, there was a weekly practice test to make sure that we really understood the lessons and to make us familiar with the exam style. Most importantly, teachers were supportive and helpful, and this made me feel comfortable to ask for help when I got stuck. Even though I wasn’t asked about Further Maths in the interview at Cambridge, the thinking process I have developed from the course helped me to answer difficult and challenging questions during the interview effectively.”
Alumni Updates
The College recently received this update from the three original Thai scholarship holders:
This is Songphol from Thailand. I just browsed the website and am truly impressed with the achievement of the Thai flying pigs. However, I am quite annoyed not seeing “the original three” Thai flying pigs mentioned on the page. We deserve a few lines and I am writing on behalf of Apinunt and Nawin to reclaim our place in history. Here’s an update of our lives *17* years after Rochester:
Dr Apinunt Thanachayanont (Imperial College 1998), associate professor of Electrical Engineering at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok. Also an assistant to the President of the University and a father of two beautiful girls.
Nawin Somyat (UMIST 2000), a lecturer at Thammasart University, Bangkok.
Dr Songphol Kanjanachuchai (Imperial College 1995, Cambridge 1999), the first Oxbridge Thai and now professor of Electrical Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. (Will be a father in Sep!)
Massive congratulations to Apinunt on the publication of his first text book: CMOS: Analog Integrated Circuits. Sadly, it is available only in Thai (otherwise we RIC web rats would, of course, have understood every word).
Sukpuck Dien Phongsathit-Barnett globe trotting foody blogger and Thanawat Tan Manathat were both at Rochester back in 2000 and have just been promoted to the post of First Secretary of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dien has been posted to Taipei, Taiwan and Tan to Laos. Dien has worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010 and has travelled the world representing her country in the UN and negotiating international agreements in various forums. Massive congratulations on a very well deserved promotion and on Dien and Neil’s recent first wedding anniversary.
Thai Scholars and their university destinations at Rochester Independent College since 2009:
2022
Suppaset Umpho- Imperial College, Physics
2021
| Year Group | Previous School | University offer | Current Subjects and Grades |
Sanphet Earwprasert | Year 14-one year A level | Sriboonyanon | UCL (University College London) - Mathematics | Maths - A* Physics - B Chemistry - A Further Maths - A* |
Preeyaporn Inpeng | Two year | Demonstration School Of The University Of Phayao | University of Manchester - Biomedical Sciences | Maths - A* Biology - A* Chemistry - A* |
Pasawish Kalsirisilp | Year 14- one year A level | Suankularb Wittayalai Rangsit | UCL (University College London) - Physics | Maths - A Physics - A* Chemistry - A |
Nutthanon Kandet | Year 14- one year A level | Princess Chulabhorn Science High School | University of East Anglia UEA - Environmental Sciences | Maths - A* Geography - A* Chemistry - A* |
Waritsara Laiaad | Two year | Triamudomsuksanomklao Nakhonratchasima | University of Manchester - Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Maths - A* Physics - A* Chemistry - A* |
Monai Rattanapanawong | Two year | Sura Nari Witthaya School | University of Southampton - Geology | Maths - A* Physics - A* Chemistry - A* |
2020
• Jiryayus Jirapong - University of Cambridge- Maths
2019
• Thanawitch Chatbipho - University of Oxford - Chemistry
2018
• Warach Veeranonchai - University of Cambridge - Maths
2017
• Kiatmeta Chongfungklang - University of Nottingham - Mathematical Physics
• Varit Foongvanich - University of Cambridge – Mathematics
• Adisorn Panasawatwong - University of Oxford - Physics
• Pattaraporn Pinturak - Queen Mary - Mathematics & Economics
• Pinphong Sukkaew - University of Cambridge - Natural Sciences
• Rapee Wanaset - University of Southampton - Physics
2016
• Chotipan Boonkongkird – University of Edinburgh – Astrophysics
• Natthikan Phongteeramitr – University College London – Pharmacy
• Nonpawith Phoommanee – University College London – Biomedical Engineering
• Rattana Pukdee – University of Oxford – Mathematics
• Chanathip Rojjanapanitpreeda – Brunel University – Physiotherapy
• Sompob Shanokprasith – University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Phattaraporn Singkanipa – University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Vit Sriprachyakul – University of Cambridge – Mathematics
• Wipada Wongchuen – University of Dundee – Dentistry
• Panawat Wong-Klaew – University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
2015
• Anantachok Duangsarot – Imperial College London - Computer Science
• Jesada Maklai – University of Lancaster – Physics
• Adipol Phosrisom – University of Surrey – Physics
• Bannawit Pimpanuwat – University of Manchester –Physics
• Jiratheep Pruchyatthamkorn – University of Oxford – Chemistry
2014
• Prekamon Chaipanichkul – Imperial College London – Physics
• Methawi Chomthing – University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Peersak Sae-Ung – University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
2013
• Kla Karava – University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Parinya Udommai – University of Manchester – Physics
• Pawita Boonrat – University of Manchester – Physics
• Poon Thongsai – Imperial College London – Mathematics
• Puthipong Worasaran -University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Saowalak Changko -University of York – Biology
• Supanut Thanasilp - Imperial College London – Physics
2012
• Jirraborriak Charoenpattarapree - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Orarat Ginsawaeng – University College London – Biological Sciences
• Siraput Jongaramrungruang - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Narakin Lohitsiri - University of Cambridge – Mathematics
• Gun Pinyo – Imperial College London – Computing
• Thongchai Wirojsakseree – University of Bristol - Computing
2011
• Nontanit Cheewaruangroj - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Nuttawat Kongsauwan - University of Cambridge – Physics
• Jirawat Ratanep - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
2010
• Pisak Chermpray – Imperial College London – Mechanical Engineering
• Nat Dilokthanakul –University College London - Physics
• Kamin Siriwatwetchakul - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Jirawat Tangpanitanon- University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Thanapat Worasaron - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
2011
• Nontanit Cheewaruangroj - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Nuttawat Kongsauwan - University of Cambridge – Physics
• Jirawat Ratanep - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
2010
• Pisak Chermpray – Imperial College London – Mechanical Engineering
• Nat Dilokthanakul –University College London - Physics
• Kamin Siriwatwetchakul - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Jirawat Tangpanitanon- University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
• Thanapat Worasaron - University of Cambridge – Natural Sciences
2009
• Phakpoom Anitcharoen – University of Oxford – Chemistry
• Sarun Gulyanon - University of Edinburgh – Computer Science
• Tanatorn Khotavivattana – University of Oxford – Chemistry
• Napat Poovuttikul - Imperial College London – Theoretical Physics
• Nuttapol Risangud - University of Manchester – Chemistry
• Tian Wirojsaksaree - Imperial College London - Computing