For many refugee children in Bangkok, a fever, injury, or chronic illness isn’t just a health concern – it’s financial impossibility.

Healthcare inequality isn’t just an abstract global issue, it’s a daily reality for refugee children living in our own city. Lifeline’s top priority is to raise awareness and take action regarding healthcare inequality for refugee children in our community, ensuring that every child has access to essential medical care, regardless of their background or financial status. Through our partnership with the TzuChi medical clinic, we are dedicated to supporting children, those in need, and refugees and asylum seekers that require medical attention and other forms of support but do not have the resources to acquire it.

In Bangkok especially, it can be immensely difficult for refugees to access safe, reliable healthcare, particularly for children with critical conditions. While Tzu Chi Foundation provides compassionate medical support to those who cannot afford it, many refugee families still struggle to cover the full costs of urgent and even basic essential treatments, which can reach up to 50,000 baht per child. Our club works to bridge this gap by taking both indirect action – raising funds – and direct action – volunteering to support these children. In doing so, we ensure they receive the care they need and deserve whilst drawing attention to the wider issue of unequal healthcare access in our home city.

Fundraising is one aspect of our club, we do so by organizing events such as bake sales, and fun-day activities that bring our school community together whilst raising crucial funds simultaneously. This year, we aim to raise a minimum of THB 30,000, with the long-term goal of covering the full medical expenses for lifesaving surgeries and treatments for at least two refugee children. These lives – the children’s futures – will be changed forever, for the good. Whilst this number may not seem enormous alone, this only further highlights how frighteningly expensive these treatments can be, and what vast differences small steps can make.

Not only that, our mission extends beyond fundraising. We strongly believe in direct engagement, encouraging students to get personally involved through awareness campaigns, events. Most importantly, during our weekly visits to the medical clinic, we volunteer alongside Tzu Chi staff and assist with tasks ranging from taking patient vitals and IT work, to translating for refugees, allowing them to effectively communicate with the doctors and overcoming language barriers. These trips emphasize the importance of diversity, being able to help people from all kinds of backgrounds. Proving just how much difference we can make. We believe this hands-on involvement not only provides immediate assistance to those in need, but also instills empathy, awareness, responsibility, and lasting commitment to social justice within our school community.

For the first time since 2011 SEASAC Tennis took place in KL hosted by KLASS at the Bukit Kiara club.
After a busy and successful season, both the Boys and Girls travelled with a high sense of anticipation.
As the Girls had lost in last years final they were seeded 2 and were looking to go one better, whereas the boys were seeded 5 so had a trickier route to the later stages.

Day 1 started bright and early for the boys with a 7.00am start against Garden International School, who we comfortably beat 5–0. The Boys then followed this up with a good win against CDNIS 3-2 with Pete and Phin winning the decider in the super tiebreak.

After a more leisurely morning the Girls arrived for the their opening match against cross town rivals NIST who put up a good fight but our girls were too strong and ran out 4-1 victors.

Day 2 was another early start for the Boys but as they only had one match also an early finish, the team were on point all match and defeated defending champions UWC East 3-2 with some excellent tennis highlighted by Anton who won his super tie break 16-14.

The Girls had a longer day with two matches which wasn’t helped by a lengthy rain delay late afternoon but they remained focused throughout beating BSJ 5-0 and UWC East 4-1 and with the last ball hit at 11.00pm, were grateful to get back to the hotel for a bit of rest.

Day 3 and semi finals is always a big day as win and guaranteed a medal but lose and in the dreaded 3rd/4th play off. The Boys faced off against Harrow, with whom we have had some fantastic matches over the years. Although the tennis wasn’t of the level of the day before, it was good enough to get us over the line and another 3-2 victory saw the Boys into the final for the first time since 2018! The Girls, however, shone and despatched CDNIS 5-0 and really looked strong with commanding performances from all players.

Day 4 and finals day saw the usual nervy moments but with both teams playing at the same time all three coaches had to make sure all players were settled and ready for the task in hand.

The Girls once again flew out of the blocks against UWC Dover who we had played in the last four finals with Asama and Anna winning their doubles match in straight sets, quickly followed by Mila in her singles and then Pip and Raichah sealed the victory with a commanding win to put us into an unassailable 3-0 lead – unfortunately Rinka and Amy were unable to finish the job off in style as due to time restrictions and immiinent flights the match was stopped as we had already won.

The Boys battled hard also against but UWC Dover but unfortunately couldn’t make any inroads and their match also ended at 0-3 with the Dover Boys just a bit stronger all round.

Overall it was a fabulous four days of tennis with a great group of students all working towards one team goal supported by Coach Gift and Pie who wealth of knowledge and experience gave all students a valuable insight into the matches. Thanks also to our parent support who were always there when needed but never too involved and a great help to all.

Finally, Congratulations to the Girls’ team whose legacy in this event is amazing as this was their 10th win since 2011 (not including Covid years) but their first in three years so memorable in many ways.

Teams
Girls – Pip Kaocharern (Captain) Rinka Bunsokuwan, Raichah de Sousa-Huynen, Asama Jittachalodhorn,Amy Soukvilay, Mila Chakrabandhu, Anna Wierda and Tatsha Kuansongtham

Boys – Parit Leenabanchong (Captain) Al Limvatanayingyong, Anton Limvatanayingyong, Justin Miller, Takeyoshi Aiyama, KK Anuras, Samrit Singh and Phineas Larmer-Beech

Last weekend, our Under 11 Basketball teams competed in the BMAC Basketball Competition, with nearly 50 Bangkok Patana students proudly representing the school. The one-day tournament brought together schools from across Bangkok and provided an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their development, teamwork, and growing understanding of the game in a competitive environment.

Throughout the day, students demonstrated impressive commitment, sportsmanship and enthusiasm, reflecting the hard work they have put into training over the last few ECA blocks. Both of our Cup squads showed outstanding determination and resilience against strong opposition. Our U11 Boys delivered a series of confident performances to finish in 1st place, while the U11 Girls battled superbly to secure an excellent 2nd place finish.

In the Festival competition, both Boys’ teams remained undefeated across all their games, displaying strong teamwork, effective communication, and good decision making under pressure. Our Girls’ festival team showed real grit, digging deep in each match and demonstrating clear improvements as the day progressed.

It was a highly successful event that highlighted not only our students’ basketball ability, but also their positive attitudes, perseverance, and willingness to support one another. All students involved were a real credit to Bangkok Patana School, and we are extremely proud of their efforts.

This year’s Bangkok Patana Junior Achievement team, Tote-ally, have represented the school with creativity, confidence and real entrepreneurial flair at the Thailand Company of the Year Competition 2026.

Made up of students from Years 10 to 13, Tote-ally set out to design a product that was both commercially viable and socially responsible. Their answer: customisable tote bags, created on the spot for customers, promoting sustainability, individuality and creativity.

The first stage of the competition took place at a busy Trade Fair at Gateway Ekkamai on 17th January. Here, the team were tasked with setting up and running a professional sales stall, selling directly to members of the public. Throughout the day, students confidently explained their product, demonstrated the live customisation process, and fielded challenging questions from a panel of judges — all while successfully generating sales in a real-world retail environment.

The second and final stage followed a week later at True Digital Park on 24th January, where teams were assessed on the strategic side of their business. Tote-ally presented a polished company report, delivered a clear and engaging business pitch, and performed strongly in their formal interview with the judges. Their preparation and teamwork were rewarded when they received a special award for Marketing, with judges particularly praising the unique customisation element of their product and the way it enhanced customer experience.

Beyond the competition itself, Tote-ally’s journey has given students first-hand experience of teamwork across year groups, financial planning, marketing strategy, sustainability, and public speaking — all key aims of the Junior Achievement programme. Their work demonstrates how enterprise education can empower students to turn ideas into action with confidence and purpose.

The Tote-ally team are not finished yet. Their next selling opportunity will be at Patana Fun Day on Saturday 14 March, where the school community will have the chance to support the team and design their own Tote-ally bag. Congratulations to all students involved for representing Bangkok Patana School so positively — and tote-ally sustainably!