Thai Teen Rides Horse to School, Sparks Social Media Buzz

[snoop1130]

Photo via DailyNews

 

In the heart of Thailand's Ang Thong province, a 16-year-old student named Teeraphat "Ten" Ransawaranon has captured public attention by commuting to school on horseback. This unique approach not only highlights a charming pastime but also embodies Wiset Chai Chan Tantiwitthayapoom School's innovative educational vision.

 

Ten's passion for horses began at a young age. His first horse, purchased with his grandmother’s support, marked the start of his lifelong love for riding. Over the years, he honed his skills, eventually acquiring two horses. A month ago, he decided to swap his motorcycle for a more traditional form of transport—his horse, Sunny.

 

Permission from school director Nudchanad Yimchan was readily granted. She enthusiastically endorsed Ten’s choice, viewing it as an enrichment to the school's soft power initiative. Nudchanad believes that this initiative elevates the school's profile by integrating cultural and personal development aspects into daily routines.

 

Sunny, a three-year-old horse, not only alleviates fuel expenses but also contributes financially. Ten earns additional income by showcasing his equestrian skills with Sunny at local events, where their partnership is met with admiration.

 

Ten's influence extends to his peers, notably his 13-year-old friend, Ratchapong "Chart", who shares his equestrian enthusiasm. Chart is nurturing his own horse, with plans to follow Ten’s hoof prints to school imminently.

 

The school supports this initiative wholeheartedly. Nudchanad allocated space on the school property for tending to Sunny, allowing Ten to balance riding and studies effectively. She emphasises that horses foster cognitive and emotional growth, likening their presence to a form of hippotherapy. This not only nurtures the students' well-being but attracts others to Wiset Chai Chan Tantiwitthayapoom School.

 

In the village, Ten's daily ride represents a wonderful blend of tradition and modernity, offering a glimpse into how communities might creatively interweave cultural heritage into everyday life. As Ten and Sunny continue their daily rides, they not only save on fuel but also strengthen community connections and enrich the educational landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-25

 

 

[Thumbs]

Not safe in a car on thai roads, nice idea but think this is an accident waiting to happen 

[hotchilli]

Good on him...

[BoganInParasite]

February 2020 I had just parked in my local small northern Nan province town when a gent dressed pretty much as a cowboy cantered past on a horse. No idea why.

[mfd101]

18 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Good on him...

Yes, some good news for once.

[KhunLA]

Now that's eco friendly transport 

 

I miss horseback riding, and PKK, being a bit too warm to have one IMHO.  Cross my mind a few times to have one or two, as always have extra land.  Heat turns me off every time.

[wavodavo]

40 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Now that's eco friendly transport 

 

I miss horseback riding, and PKK, being a bit too warm to have one IMHO.  Cross my mind a few times to have one or two, as always have extra land.  Heat turns me off every time.

What's so bad about that ?? I used to ride my horse15 miles to school through ice. snow and cyclones because my father could't afford to buy me a bike...it didn't hurt me.

[Ralf001]

49 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

.  Heat turns me off every time.

use a bigger whip, ride that nag faster.

[DTL2014]

My mom’s sister was killed falling from a horse on  VE Day 

[KhunLA]

19 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

What's so bad about that ?? I used to ride my horse15 miles to school through ice. snow and cyclones because my father could't afford to buy me a bike...it didn't hurt me.

 

15 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

use a bigger whip, ride that nag faster.

 

If you ever road a horse, a bit more than a slow walk, in warm weather, you'd know, they don't really enjoy it.  I wouldn't put a horse through that.  That's not humane treatment of an animal.  Cooler weather is fine, and we use to ride them hard, for short sprints.

[Surasak]

Full admiration to the school head, who has encouraged this activity.

[Ralf001]

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

 

If you ever road a horse, a bit more than a slow walk, in warm weather, you'd know, they don't really enjoy it.  I wouldn't put a horse through that.  That's not humane treatment of an animal.  Cooler weather is fine, and we use to ride them hard, for short sprints.

 

I grew up on a ranch, rode a horse to school.

[AgMech Cowboy]

Outstanding! 

[unblocktheplanet]

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

e.

 

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I miss horseback riding, and PKK, being a bit too warm to have one IMHO.  Cross my mind a few times to have one or two, as always have extra land.  Heat turns me off every time.

Nothing beats a ride with the horse guard equestrian centre in Kanchanaburi. Lovely places to stay...some with hotsprings. Beautiful horses. However, my nemesis proved to be #13, flipped me off & broke two ribs!

[unblocktheplanet]

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

I grew up on a ranch, rode a horse to school.

What country?

[Ralf001]

13 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

What country?

Argentina.

[tandor]

2 hours ago, Surasak said:

Full admiration to the school head, who has encouraged this activity.

keeps the grass down on the Football pitch too!

[Burma Bill]

5 hours ago, Thumbs said:

Not safe in a car on thai roads, nice idea but think this is an accident waiting to happen 

 

Maybe he his horse is fitted with tail lights at night?

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Begs the question, where does he park his horse during the school day?

[wavodavo]

You wouldn't call Singapore exactly a cool place .They have two racetracks and have race  meetings every week. A lot of horses from Australia and Europe are there and while it might take  them a while to get used to the humidity it doesn't  seem to worry them too much.

[black tabby12345]

9 hours ago, Thumbs said:

Not safe in a car on thai roads, nice idea but think this is an accident waiting to happen 

Worst imaginable scenario: What if that horse ever kicked someone?

Horses often hate strangers to stand behind them.

And their kicks are deadly

 

 

[Bundooman]

On 6/27/2025 at 5:42 PM, black tabby12345 said:

Worst imaginable scenario: What if that horse ever kicked someone?

Horses often hate strangers to stand behind them.

And their kicks are deadly

 

 

Oh dear - such pessimism.