Our History
From Holy Redeemer Church to the Andaman Coast
The RIS story begins in 1957 with four wooden classrooms and a mission to serve international families in Thailand. Today it spans three campuses, and continues to shape students who aim for the stars.
Key milestones
From a makeshift school behind a church in Bangkok to a multi-campus international family. These are the moments that shaped who we are.
RIS Foundation Day, May 17
The Redemptorists of Thailand formed the idea for a school to meet the educational needs of children of expatriate and local Catholic parishioners. A makeshift school opened on May 17 with four wooden classrooms behind Holy Redeemer Church.
Officially Ruamrudee International School
The school was officially chartered under the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and renamed Ruamrudee International School (RIS). 'Ruamrudee,' Thai for 'union of hearts,' encapsulates the RIS philosophy of welcoming all children.
WASC Accreditation
RIS became one of the first schools in Asia to be fully accredited by WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and the Thai Ministry of Education.
Move to Minburi
RIS moved from its original Soi Ruamrudee campus in downtown Bangkok to its current Bangkok location in Minburi, a purpose-built campus designed for modern academics, arts, and athletics.
IB World School
RIS became an IB World School, one of few in Thailand to offer both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement tracks. Students consistently score far above world averages.
RIS Phuket: The Andaman Campus
RIS Phuket brings the legacy of Ruamrudee to Thailand's Andaman Coast. Perfectly positioned where the tropical canopy meets the sea, the campus offers a Beach and Forest School experience unlike any other, preparing students to be globally-minded, academically excellent, and deeply connected to their environment.
The RIS Legacy
As an educational institution with over six decades of history, RIS boasts a diverse, multi-generational international family consisting of thousands of students, graduates, faculty, and staff. Today, the RIS alumni network is a vibrant, tight-knit community bonded by affinity and nostalgia for RIS.
Alumni excel in their respective industries and include many prominent figures in public and private sectors at both the local and international level: in government, business, and the entertainment industries.
The School Seal
The school seal portrays a globe with the initials RIS below it. The lines of longitude represent the international nature of the school. The impression of a church with a flag atop its roof signifies the Christian spirit of family love that has always characterised the school community, preparing RIS students to be good and responsible citizens of the world.