My mother established the school because she wanted local children to have a place to study, says Wannawit's 94-year-old principal Mom Rajawongse Ruchisamara Suksawadi, who prefers to be called "Yai" or grandmother.
The busy Sukhumvit Soi 8 area of Bangkok has office buildings, condominiums, hotels, bars, massage parlours, restaurants and one wooden school that has changed little since it was built in 1946.
That school is Wannawit School, owned and managed since 1954 by 94-years-young Mom Rajawongse Ruchisamara Suksawadi, who prefers to be called "yai" or grandmother.
Her school building may be nearly 70 years old, but is still in good condition. The floors are clean and shiny and the wood looks well cared for. None of the classrooms has air-conditioning, but a natural breeze flows throughout the building.