The atmosphere on the first day of school was lively, with parents bringing their children to school early in the morning. Meanwhile, heavy rain in some areas caused traffic jams and made travel quite difficult.
This morning (18 May 2026), reporters covering the first day of the first semester of the 2026 academic year at schools in various provinces reported a lively atmosphere.
At Buriram Kindergarten in Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram Province, an elementary-level school, and Buriram Pittayakhom School in the same area, a secondary-level school, many parents brought their children to school early in the morning.
Meanwhile, students at Buriram Pittayakhom also arrived early, mostly by motorcycle, private cars, and school vans, amid cool and comfortable weather unlike the hotter days before.
Duty teachers, faculty, educational staff, and student teachers were on hand to assist and welcome parents at the school entrance. Additionally, traffic police from Mueang Buriram Police Station helped manage traffic to ease congestion caused by parents dropping off children and passing vehicles during peak hours.
In Bueng Kan Province, schools were equally bustling. Parents and children arrived early under overcast skies, with some areas experiencing rain. This resulted in many vehicles dropping off children, causing traffic congestion and making travel quite difficult.
At Suriyautai Phimai Kindergarten in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, parents brought their children to school amid busy and congested traffic in front of the school, due to the number of parents driving their children to class.
Mr. Uthai Charanja, Director of Suriyautai Phimai Kindergarten, said the school offers education from Kindergarten Year 2 through Grade 6, with over 1,200 students. The school has 60 teaching and educational staff, including three vice principals: Miss Yuwaret Saso, Mr. Witayakorn Lamsan, and Miss Nittaya Yaemsri.
For children starting school for the first time, both parents and little ones must adjust. Meeting new friends helps young children learn social skills. Parents who were used to caring for their children 24/7 now have more personal time, but the first week often brings worry. Every year, parents cling to the school fence to see their children off, creating a touching atmosphere. It's hard to tell whether mothers or children cry more.
