Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Thailand
| โรงเรียนเตรียมทหาร | |
 |
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| Type | Military Academy |
|---|---|
| Established | 27 January 1958 |
| Location | Nakhon Nayok, Thailand |
| Website | www.afaps.ac.th |
The Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School or AFAPS (Thai: โรงเรียนเตรียมทหาร abbreviated รร.ตท.) is a Thai military academy, providing an education equivalent to the last three years of senior high school (years 10-12). In Nakhon Nayok Province, it is a flagship institution of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. The curriculum consists of rigorous academics, military training, and intensive physical activities. The AFAPS has a considerable drop-out rate. Cadets who manage to graduate automatically gain entrance to the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, the Royal Thai Naval Academy, the Royal Thai Air Force Academy, or the Royal Thai Police Academy.
The school accepts only male applicants. Admission to AFAPS is highly selective. The number of applicants per year exceeds 70,000. Slightly more than 600 are accepted, making the overall acceptance rate less than one percent. Graduation from the academy is considered to be a great achievement for Thai males. AFAPS is one of the largest secondary schools in Thailand. With more than 600 cadets per class year, the academy's enrolment is around 2,000. The cadet regiment represents all provinces of Thailand. The academy supports the traditions and ceremonies of Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian students.
The school has a reputation for producing close lifelong bonds between the pre-cadets of each class. Rivalries between classes are common, especially in the promotion process.
The Thai Ministry of Defence established the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School on 27 January 1958 by consolidating the preparatory schools of the Royal Thai Army, Navy, and Air Force. It was formerly next to Lumphini Park in Bangkok, (the current site of the "One Bangkok" ). In 2000, the academy moved to a new 4 km2 site in Nakhon Nayok Province.
AFAPS provides a rigorous academic program, with a focus on science, mathematics, and pre-engineering courses. Cadets study academics for four days a week in academic buildings from 08:00 to 16:00. On designated training days, study time is divided in half. In the morning, a wide range of sport and health education classes (i.e., rugby, track and field, fencing, paramedic swimming, etc.) are offered. In the afternoon, cadets study military science and strategies, including military structure, field survival, and weapon training.
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