Kasetsart Demonstration School Hosts the 8th National Geography Olympiad

Kasetsart University Demonstration School, Research and Educational Development Center, serving as the Geography Olympiad hub, has been honored as host for the 8th National Geography Olympiad (The 8th Thailand Geography Olympiad 2026) from April 29 to May 4, 2026, at Kasetsart University Demonstration School and TK Palace and Convention Hotel Bangkok. The competition aims to select Thailand's representatives for the International Geography Olympiad while elevating Thailand's geography education standards to international levels. This competition platform serves as a crucial mechanism for developing Thai youth into internationally-capable spatial thinkers and reflects the school's role as a center for academic excellence in the country. The official opening ceremony, reflecting collaborative educational efforts, will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Hydrenia 2-3 meeting room at TK Palace and Convention Hotel Bangkok. Distinguished guests include Professor Emeritus Dr. Charas Suwanwela, Vice President of the OCSC Foundation, as president of the ceremony, alongside executives from Kasetsart University, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, academics, teachers, and over 350 students from across the country. Dr. Phakamask Nantjeewrawat, Chairman of the Geography Olympiad Center at Kasetsart University Demonstration School, stated that this competition is organized under the supervision of the OCSC Foundation, with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as Foundation President. The primary objectives include providing students with opportunities to demonstrate academic potential, selecting Thailand's representatives, building academic networks, and elevating geography education to international standards. This competition is not merely a platform to measure academic capability, but also a space for shared learning among youth nationwide who exchange experiences and geographic perspectives, which will serve as important foundations for future knowledge development. The opening ceremony includes significant activities such as the introduction of flags from all 16 centers and the OCSC flag, the pledge by competing students and committees led by Dr. Thanatep Pitayaratchakti, as well as performances and academic exhibitions reflecting advances in geographic science. The host is fully prepared to create an internationally-standard competition platform. This competition is a collaboration between Kasetsart University Demonstration School and the Foundation for the Promotion of Academic Olympiad (OCSC), with intensive preparation involving over 280 personnel to accommodate more than 469 participants from across the country. Competitors consist of 108 student representatives from 16 OCSC centers who will participate in exams and activities over 6 days under the same standards as international competitions. Beyond academic testing, the competition period represents a time for capable youth to live together, learn, exchange, and build academic networks, which constitutes valuable and sustainable out-of-classroom experience. The competition format challenges modern-world skills through written exams and case analysis.