Joseph Upatham School (), sometimes called "Joseph Upatham School Samphran" () and abbreviated as JS ()), is a private Catholic school in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand under the Education Department of the Archdiocese of Bangkok. Managed by the Archbishop and Pastor of the Archdiocese of Bangkok, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres.
Founder: Archbishop Joseph Khiamsun Nittayo Co-Founder: Rev. Francis Xavier Thongdee Kitcharaen Licensee: Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu
The sub district of Tha Kham (usually written Takham), is the heartland of the Roman Catholic Christian religion in Thailand. Michael Michai Kitbunchu, Cardinal of Thailand was born in Sam Phran and many Catholic religious institutes have their convents, monasteries and headquarters in the area and there is also Thailand's major seminary. The largest and most important installation in the Catholic enclave of Tha Kham, (and also in Sam Phran), is the vast campus shared by Joseph Upatham School one of the largest combined kindergarten, primary and secondary schools in the country, the main institution of the 43 schools and colleges governed by the Education Department of Bangkok Archdiocese (EDBA), and the Ban Phu Waan Pastoral Training Centre - a leading Catholic conference and convention centre in Asia. There are several other large private schools in Takham including St. Peter's school (mixed gender, kindergarten and Grades 1 to 9) also governed by the EDBA in the parish of St. Peter, a village and factory community about 2 kilometres from the main highway in the south of Tha Kham, and Marie Upatham, an independent Catholic school for girls in the Takham village of Mor Sii.
Name "Joseph" is the name of the patron saint of Archbishop Joseph Khiamsun Nittayo and "Upatham" in the Thai Language means foster. When combined, "Joseph Upatham" means "was fostered by St. Joseph".
Relations with the Holy See 1987: Pope John Paul II presided the celebration of a Mass for Thanksgiving with 23 new priests' concelebrating with him at the closing of the sacred year for Thailand at Joseph Upatham School. 2004: Pope Benedict XVI sent a congratulatory plaque to Joseph Upatham School on the occasion of the school's 40th anniversary.
Notable alumni Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitvanit, Bishop of Nakhon Sawan (7 March 2007 – 14 May 2009) and Archbishop of Bangkok (14 May 2009–present) Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, Bishop of Chiang Mai (10 February 2009 – present)
Rector of Joseph Upatham School Saint Joseph Seminary Years in officeName1965Rev.Fr. Francis Xavier Thongdee Kitcharoen1965-1973Rev.Fr. Michael Huashang KitbunchuArchbishop of Bangkok(1972-2009)now is archbishop emeritusCardinal Protopriest(2016–present)1973-1976Rev.Fr. Joseph Sangval SurasarangBishop of Chiang Mai(1987-2009) now is bishop emeritus1976-1983Rev.Fr. Joseph Pravit Phongviratchai1983-1992Rev.Fr. Joseph Pibul VisitnondachaiBishop of Nakhon Sawan(2009–present)1992-1996Rev.Fr. Peter Surasit Chumsriphan1992-1999Rev.Fr. John Suthep Phongviratchai1999-2004Rev.Fr. Ignatius Adisak Somsaengsuang2004-2009Rev.Fr. John Witchukorn Gatepab2009-2013Rev.Fr. Joseph Prateep Kiratipong2013-2019Rev.Fr. Joseph Chaiyo Kitsakul2019–presentRev.Fr. Joseph Vittaya Ladloi The Ascension Catholic Church Years in officeName2006–presentRev.Fr. Peter Chatchaval Supalak
Manager of Joseph Upatham School School's Directors Years in officeName1966-1967Rev.Fr. Joseph Savieng Surasarang1967-1974Rev.Fr. Muchael Khomthun Mungsommai1974-1981Rev.Fr. Joseph Virasak Vanarotsuvit1981-1984Rev.Fr. Charles Piya Rotchanamarivong(Boonleang Sae-Pang)1984-1989Rev.Fr. Peter Chavalit Kitcharoen1989-1990Rev.Fr. John Baptit Vivat Praesiri1990-1994Rev.Fr. Joseph Vuthilert Haelom1994-1999Rev.Fr. Joseph Suphakij Lertjitleakha(Sae-Lee)1999-2006Rev.Fr. Nicolas Sakchai Saphaphamai2006-2013Rev.Fr. John Baptist Ekaporn Nittayo2013-2016Rev.Fr. Peter Theeraphol Kobvithayakul2016-2017Rev.Fr. Paul Sawong Wijitwong2017-2019Rev.Fr. Joseph Itthipon Srirattana2019–presentRev.Fr. John Bosco Suchat Udomsittipattana Headmaster of School's College Years in officeName2006-2013Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Sahaphon Tangthavorn2013-2016Rev.Fr. Paul Sawong Wijitwong2016–presentRev.Fr. Stefen Weerayuth Kieatsakulchai Headmistress of School's Convent Years in officeName2006-2010Sr.Kristoff Paykanan2010-2011Sr.Thérèse de Lisieux Wongcheun2011-2015Sr.Margaret Jittree Rattanawongchaiya2015-2018Sr.Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal Suphen Triwaudom2018-2019Sr.Jeanne-Baptiste Kanjana Sudprasert
Curriculum
Primary Education (Grade 1-6 according to Thai Education) 1.Intensive English Course 2.English Programme 3.Ordinary Programme Junior High School Education (Grade 7-9 according to Thai Education) 1.Intensive English Course 2.English Programme 3.Ordinary Programme 4.Science-Mathematics Programme Senior High School Education (Grade 10-12 according to Thai Education) MajorsMinors Science–MathematicsEnglish English–Mathematics Science-Social Studies English Thai-Social Studies English–Chinese English–Social StudiesThai-Computer, Career
References