Princess Sirindhorn’s Visit
On February 27, 2024, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn officially opened Saengtham College, Xavier Chiang Rai Campus, a day the college now regards as a landmark moment in its history. Her arrival that afternoon was met by an eager crowd of cardinals, bishops, priests, students, faculty, staff, and residents from nearby villages, all gathered to mark the ceremonial start of this new chapter for the college. The event carried a strong sense of celebration and reverence, reflecting the significance of a royal visit to this Jesuit-affiliated institution in northern Thailand.
After an opening address from Father Vinai Boonlue S.J., the campus director, the Princess honored twenty individuals whose dedicated service had helped the campus grow, recognizing the collaborative effort behind the institution’s development. She then formally opened Nicholas Hall and planted a rain tree (จามจุรี) on the grounds as a symbolic gesture tied to sustainability and institutional growth, a moment students and staff described as deeply meaningful and a once-in-a-lifetime honor. The Princess also toured a student-prepared exhibition showcasing their talents and ambitions before watching a student performance titled “Power of the Dream: Wisdom of the Cross and a Ray of Hope,” which the audience found captivating.
Following the performance, the Princess spent time interacting directly with students, teachers, staff, and administrators, posing for commemorative photos and signing a stone plate to mark the occasion. She received handmade gifts from students, including a handicraft that one student had spent over ten years perfecting, and students spoke afterward of the weeks of preparation and the honor of presenting their work to her despite their nervousness. As the visit concluded, the Princess departed leaving what the college describes as memories that will endure for generations, intended to inspire continued growth and learning at the campus.
The visit also marked a broader institutional milestone: in 2023, the Catholic Bishops’ Council of Thailand, through Saengtham College, partnered with the Jesuits in Thailand to elevate the Xavier Learning Community into a full higher-education institution under the Thai Church. The goal is to expand educational access for ethnic youth across northern Thailand and neighboring countries, alongside other development efforts. This elevation to college status represents a significant expansion of XLC’s original mission and mandate.
As of the 2023 academic year, the new campus offers a Bachelor of Arts in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, majoring in English for Education, Religion, and Culture, with thirty first-year students enrolled, including Thai students as well as students from Laos and Myanmar. It has also launched a one-year English language program aimed at seminarians and novices, helping them build foundational English skills for pastoral work and daily life. Together, the royal inauguration and these new academic offerings mark a formal transition of XLC into a recognized higher-education institution serving the region.