The origins of the Poh-Chang School can be traced back to 1905 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V), when the Ministry of Public Instruction established a “Wood Carving Division” to produce illustrations for school textbooks. This was later elevated to a “Craftsmen’s Guild”, expanding into several disciplines including modelling, niello work, mother-of-pearl inlay and drawing. The growth of this guild marked the beginning of a structured system of vocational art education, reflecting the state’s effort to modernise and elevate traditional crafts to meet new standards and to build skilled manpower for a changing Siam.

In 1913, King Vajiravudh (King Rama VI) presided over the opening of a new school building and bestowed the name “Poh-Chang School” (literally “School for Cultivating Craftsmen”). This was part of his father’s vision to preserve Thai craftsmanship from being overwhelmed by Western influences. The establishment of the school was a significant milestone in Siamese society, creating a formal modern curriculum for the decorative arts. Poh-Chang thus became a bridge between traditional Thai knowledge and Western academic practices, and one of the very first institutions in the country to offer systematic, school-based education for training young artisans grounded in Thai cultural heritage.

In its early years, Poh-Chang offered departments such as woodcarving, painting, modelling, niello work, carpentry and turning, later adding an architectural section (1913) and, in 1917, a teacher-training programme in drawing to supply schools across the kingdom with qualified instructors. The school also introduced the traditional “Wai Khru” ceremony for crafts masters and adopted red and black as its official colours. Importantly, it laid the foundation for a “learning by doing” philosophy, encouraging hands-on training and systematising Thai craft knowledge. This approach later became a model for other institutions in the country.

During this formative period, the government also invited foreign art instructors to help modernise art education. Among the most influential was Frederick Samuel Harrop, an English artist and designer trained at the Royal College of Art in London. Arriving in 1913, Harrop was first appointed as an art teacher and, from 1922, served as Headmaster. He introduced Western techniques such as watercolour painting, drawing, printmaking, lettering and book design, while at the same time deeply studying Thai artistic traditions and incorporating Thai motifs into European methods. His teaching fostered a unique blend of Thai and Western styles and he also trained drawing instructors for government schools, ensuring that the influence of Poh-Chang extended far beyond its campus. Harrop’s contribution helped to set the school on a path towards internationally informed standards from its earliest years.

Between 1918 and 1923, Prince Chudadhut Dharadilok, a son of King Chulalongkorn educated at the University of Cambridge, took up the position of Commandant of Poh-Chang. With his vision and energy, he strengthened the school’s organisation, formalised its curriculum and expanded its departments to include disciplines such as gilding, screen block-making, jewellery and photography. His leadership established Poh-Chang as a key institution that systematically combined traditional Thai craftsmanship with modern approaches, earning the school wide recognition.

Although the school building was destroyed during Allied air raids in the Second World War (1943–1944), Poh-Chang was revived and rebuilt in the post-war period. By 1946, the curriculum was modernised, and in 1957 a new Thai-style building was completed. Today, Poh-Chang is part of Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin. It offers undergraduate programmes in over 14 disciplines and continues to serve as a leading centre for the preservation and advancement of Thai art, blending cultural heritage with contemporary practice.