Princess and iGeo in Thailand

The Geography Olympiad of Thailand began in 2012 (B.E. 2555) following an invitation extended to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to preside over the opening ceremony of the International Geography Conference (IGC 2012) at the University of Cologne, Federal Republic of Germany. During the opening ceremony, gold medals were awarded in the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo). Upon Her Royal Highness’s return to Thailand, she expressed her desire for the Promotion of Academic Olympiads and Development of Science Education Foundation (POSN), under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, to explore the possibility of participating in this competition. The POSN responded to Her Royal Highness’s wish by assembling a working group consisting of knowledgeable and skilled professors from various universities to develop curricula and textbooks for the Geography Olympiad. This initiative aimed to provide training for teachers, students, and to organize selection exams for Thailand’s national representatives. The curriculum covers physical geography, human geography, and technical geography.

In 2015 (B.E. 2558), the POSN held a selection exam to recognize students for training and to send as Thailand’s representatives to the 2015 iGeo for the first time. In 2017 (B.E. 2560), the POSN established 15 Geography Olympiad centers across the country, providing opportunities for Thai students in all regions to be selected. These centers have the primary responsibility of organizing training sessions and selecting students to represent their respective centers in the national Geography Olympiad competition.

In 2015, POSN organised the first national selection of students for training and international competition. By 2017, the foundation established 15 Geography Olympiad Centers across Thailand, providing opportunities for students nationwide to participate. These centers are responsible for training and selecting students to represent their regions at the national level.

At present, the Geography Olympiad centers consist of 7 university-based centers and 8 school-based centers, as follows:

o University-based centers:
o Chulalongkorn University Center
o Chiang Mai University Center
o Mahasarakham University Center
o Burapha University Center
o Silpakorn University Center
o Thaksin University Center
o Kasetsart University Center
o School-based centers:
o Triam Udom Suksa School Center
o Suankularb Wittayalai School Center
o Samsenwittayalai School Center
o Kasetsart University Laboratory School Center
o Mahidol Wittayanusorn School Center
o Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Center
o Hatyaiwittayalai School Center
o Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Nakhon Si Thammarat Center

In 2025, the Chulalongkorn University Center, under the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, has been selected to host the 21st International Geography Olympiad (iGeo 2025). This prestigious event, which will take place from July 26 to August 1, 2025, marks the first time Thailand will host the competition. The event is dedicated to celebrating the 70th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, in honor of her significant contributions to the advancement of geography education and her unwavering support for the national Geography Olympiad competition.