As part of the celebration marking 30 years of the Swiss Bilingual Matura in Thailand, we were honored to hear from Mrs. Usa Somboon, President of the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT). With decades of leadership experience and a lifelong dedication to advancing education, Mrs. Somboon’s speech at the Swiss Embassy offered a heartfelt tribute to the RIS Swiss Section – Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok and the enduring partnership between Switzerland and Thailand.
In this post, we are pleased to share the full text of her inspiring speech, along with a short profile highlighting her outstanding contributions to international education in Thailand.
ISAT President’s Speech
30th anniversary of the Swiss Bilingual Matura in Thailand
“Your Excellency, Ambassador Pedro Zwahlen, Distinguished guests, beloved colleagues from the RIS Swiss Section, and dear friends,
Guten Abend (goo-ten ah-bent). Good evening. It is with great joy and a full heart that I stand here on behalf of the International Schools Association of Thailand to celebrate 30 incredible years of the Swiss Bilingual Matura at the Swiss Embassy.
Reflecting on the journey that began in 1995 when Switzerland bravely introduced bilingual Matura programmes, we recognize how beautifully those ideals have blended rigorous academics with genuine language immersion.
Today, we honor the RIS Swiss Section – Deutschsprachige Schule (doytsh-shprah-khee-guh shoo-luh) Bangkok, which has carried this vision gracefully through the years. Since its inception in 1963, the Swiss Section has cultivated a reputation for educational excellence, representing not just a curriculum milestone but also the profound impact of over 60 years of Swiss pedagogy here in Thailand.
Our celebration today is intertwined with a deep and enduring legacy—the treasured friendship between Thailand and Switzerland, which has blossomed over nearly a century. Both His Majesty King Rama 8, who completed his secondary education in Lausanne, and His Majesty King Rama 9, who cherished his time at the University of Lausanne, were shaped by the values of Swiss scholarship and openness. Their experiences in Switzerland created bonds of mutual respect and understanding that continue to enrich our diplomatic and cultural relations to this day.
Heartfelt congratulations to the students, teachers, and leadership of the RIS Swiss Section on this noteworthy achievement. The Swiss Bilingual Matura is no small feat. It requires mastery of content in two languages, a challenge that nurtures adaptability, critical thinking, and self-assurance. Your journey shows us that multilingual competency transcends mere vocabulary. It is a bridge connecting cultures, a catalyst for innovation, and an enduring gift that you will carry into all your future endeavors.
At ISAT, we admire the qualities embodied by your graduates, which resonate throughout Thailand’s international school community: their resilience in the face of challenges, the unquenchable curiosity that knows no borders, and a spirit of collaboration grounded in respect.
We also want to express our gratitude to the Swiss governments for their support, providing essential teaching staff, resources, and guidance that uphold the high standards of the bilingual Matura. This partnership strengthens the educational ties between our nations, enriching Thailand’s vibrant multicultural landscape.
To the wider RIS community, parents, alumni, trustees, and friends, thank you for your commitment throughout the years. Your support has cultivated an environment where ambitious dreams transform into tangible achievements.
In closing, let us raise a glass: to thirty years of the Swiss Bilingual Matura in Bangkok, to sixty years of nurturing Swiss educational approach in Thailand, and to many more decades of innovation, partnership, and excellence.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch (her-tse-li-chen gloock-wunsh) congratulations – ขอแสดงความยินดีค่ะ!
Thank you.”
About Mrs. Usa Somboon
Mrs. Usa Somboon is a highly respected figure in international education in Thailand, with over two decades of leadership experience. She has served as the President of the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) since 2004 and was the Headmistress of International School Bangkok (ISB) from 1999. Her contributions extend beyond school leadership; she has also served as an appointed advisor to the Chairman of the Committee on Education in the House of Representatives and as a member of the Private Education Commission under the Ministry of Education. Mrs. Somboon has played a pivotal role in raising academic standards and promoting collaboration among international schools nationwide.
Mrs. Somboon holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education from Chulalongkorn University. She has also completed executive leadership programs at Harvard University, further reinforcing her commitment to educational excellence. Under her visionary leadership, ISB has grown to become one of Thailand’s most prestigious international schools, renowned for its academic achievements and student-centered approach.
In recognition of her lasting contributions to education, she was honored as one of the Bangkok Post’s Women of the Year in 2021. As President of ISAT, Mrs. Somboon continues to lead efforts in supporting quality education and professional development for educators, making a significant impact on the international education landscape in Thailand.
