Flood-Hit Samut Prakan School Seeks Urgent Aid for 146 Students
Klong Huam Luang School in Samut Prakan's Bang Bo district is appealing for urgent donations after weeks of flooding damaged classrooms, destroyed wooden furniture, and left only one working drinking water dispenser for 146 students. Teachers and the director remain committed to the century-old school despite recurring flood crises, requesting stainless steel tables and water dispensers to continue operations.
Reporters visited Klong Huam Luang School in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan, on November 4, 2026, after a teacher posted a plea for help in a school support group. The school has been affected by flooding since late September, causing extensive damage to educational equipment and property.
Inspection revealed 10-15 centimeters of stagnant water still in front of the lower classroom buildings, while the path to the canteen remains submerged. The school has placed stepping stones for students to cross. Aerial drone footage shows two classroom buildings, one early childhood center, and one indoor sports dome. The lower floors of classroom buildings show flood damage up to approximately one meter high. Inside, desks, chairs, and many other items were damaged by prolonged water exposure, with some beyond repair. Wooden canteen tables have begun to rot, and drinking water dispensers are damaged and unusable.
Ms. Panitphorn Manisri, the school's administrative teacher who posted the appeal, said she has worked there for three years. Seeing the school's condition and the children's hardship moved her to share the problem and seek public assistance. The school has flooded before, but this year's water levels were higher than normal, forcing class cancellations. Many desks and equipment were ruined, especially creating a drinking water crisis that now relies on parent donations. The school also lacks televisions for Grade 1-2 teaching media and sports equipment damaged by floods. She hopes compassionate adults will witness the actual conditions and help.
Asked if she ever felt discouraged enough to transfer, Teacher Ning admitted feeling discouraged but said the lovely students, supportive colleagues, and a director who treats everyone like family make her want to stay.
Director Kitinan Na Sathien said the school faces seasonal flooding annually, but this year rain fell continuously for about a week, causing higher floodwaters. Children's canteen tables were submerged for about two weeks and ruined. Water dispensers short-circuited, so plugs were pulled to prevent electrical hazards. Only one dispenser on the classroom building remains functional. The most urgent needs are drinking water dispensers for students and stainless steel canteen tables, as prolonged flooding lasting months in some periods causes wooden tables to rot and collapse easily.
Klong Huam Luang School currently has 146 students, mostly from nearby communities, with 11 teachers, two contract teachers supported by the local administrative organization, and one administrative staff member. The school will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year but still struggles with insufficient classrooms and learning spaces.
