A Thai boy in the central province of Ang Thong has gone viral on social media for riding a horse to school. The school director supported the idea, saying it is part of the school’s soft power initiative.
The 16 year old boy, Teeraphat “Ten” Ransawaranon, drew attention from Thai media for his unique way of commuting to Wiset Chai Chan Tantiwitthayapoom School in the Wiset Chai Chan district of Ang Thong.
In an interview with DailyNews, Ten revealed that he loves horses and has enjoyed riding since childhood. He asked his grandmother to buy him a first horse when he was seven years old. His first horse cost 9,000 baht, and he spent years training until he became a skilled rider.
Ten said he now owns two horses and decided to switch from riding a motorcycle to riding a horse to school about a month ago. He sought permission from the school director, Nudchanad Yimchan, who promptly approved and praised the idea.
Ten explained that the horse he rides to school every day is a three year old named Sunny. Sunny not only helps him save on fuel costs but also provides a source of extra income. Ten said locals often hire him and Sunny to participate in ceremonies and events to demonstrate their riding skills.
Ten also introduced his 13 year old friend, Ratchapong, also known as Chart, to the media. Ten said they became friends through their shared passion for horse riding. Chart is currently raising a horse at home and plans to ride it to school like Ten soon.
School director Nudchanad told the media that she designated an area on school grounds for Ten to care for his horse. He often spends his free time tending to Sunny during breaks from studying.
Nudchanad stated that allowing students to ride horses to school not only improves their skills but also enhances the school’s image. She views horse riding as a component of the school’s soft power, making children want to study at Wiset Chai Chan Tantiwitthayapoom School.
She added that the bond between students and their horses also serves as a form of hippotherapy, supporting their emotional and mental well-being.
In a similar story in 2022, schoolboys in the northern province of Tak made headlines for riding elephants to school. Teachers revealed that most students’ parents worked in farming and agriculture, and many families raised elephants at home.
Images of the students riding elephants to school, accompanied by their parents acting as mahouts, also went viral at the time.
The story Neigh-sayers: Thai boy trots to school stardom as seen on Thaiger News.
