Piles of prohibited items outside high school entrance exam draw online attention

Scores of random items, ranging from pencil cases to banknotes, were left on the floor this morning after 13,895 students were not allowed to take them into the entrance examination hall. Images showing piles of students’ belongings quickly circulated online, prompting widespread reactions from Thai netizens and pushing the issue into trending topics on social media.

Dr. Bunyapong Potiwatthanat, Director of Triam Udom Suksa School reportedly said that most examinees were already aware of the regulations regarding which items were permitted examination room. However, a small number of students left their belongings outside because they had to hurry to enter the exam hall.

He also added that these regulations are the same as those enforced every year.

Prohibited items include correction tapes, calculators, bags, banknotes and all types of paper, as they could potentially be used for cheating.

Triam Udom Suksa, a well-known government school in Bangkok, arranged the entrance examination today for students applying to study in Grade 10 (Mathayom 4) for the 2026 academic year.

This year, 13,895 students from across the country sat the exam, but the school can accept only 1,520. The number of applicants is the highest in 18 years.

Admission to well-known high schools in Thailand is highly competitive, especially to Triam Udom Suksa School. One reason is that these schools have good track records of their students successfully gaining admission to universities.

Organisers said an official lost-and-found point has been set up inside, where staff are on hand to collect and verify items before returning them to their owners.