Ten years after his coronation, His Majesty The King visited a temple in Phraphadaeng
District of Samut Prakan province. This was a temple which offered treatment for people
suffering from leprosy, and the King took pity on those stricken with the disease.
He was especially worried about the education of the children who were separated from
their parents. So he set up a school for them opposite the hospital and allowed the parents
to visit the children. This was the beginning of the Rajpracha Samasai school for lepers.

The Rajpracha Samasai Foundation is one of numerous examples of how His Majesty
has given great support to education, both within and outside the school system--even
in remote areas of the Kingdom. An even more noteworthy example of His Majesty’s
contribution to education was his crucial role in the establishment of the Border
Patrol Police schools in 1956. Their scope was later extended when His Majesty, again
through personal donations, set up more schools in Chiang Mai for hilltribe children
which became known as “Chao Pho Luang” or “Royal Father” schools. Assistance from
the late Princess Mother ensured that today there are over 200 such schools in remote
areas of the country.

Later, the first of the so-called “Rom Klao” schools was established in Nakhon Phanom
province to provide children in those areas an opportunity to learn at a time when
many government officials feared the influence of the Communist Party of Thailand.

And for children of parents unable to afford school fees, His Majesty initiated a project
of welfare schools in temples. Such schools are now operating in many provinces
throughout the country. However, very early in his reign, His Majesty realised that simply
setting up schools was not enough. Thailand also needed qualified teachers, especially
in technical fields. In 1955, therefore, His Majesty set up the Ananda Mahidol Fund to
assist medical students to study in the United States. By 1959 the fund was registered as
the Ananda Mahidol Foundation with its scholarships extended to cover other fields
of study. His Majesty also continued his support of the “King’s Scholarship” which
provided funds for capable students to study overseas.