Thailand Chemistry Olympiad¶
เคมีโอลิมปิก
Official Websites¶
Overview¶
Key Facts
- Organizer: POSN Foundation (มูลนิธิสอวน.) under royal patronage of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana
- Final selection: IPST (Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology)
- Regional centers: 17 POSN centers nationwide (hosted at major universities)
- IChO record: 28 Gold / 75 Silver / 30 Bronze / 1 HM (since 1990)
- IChO hosted: 49th IChO (2017, Nakhon Pathom, 76 nations, 297 participants)
The Thailand Chemistry Olympiad (เคมีโอลิมปิกระดับชาติ) is organized by the POSN Foundation (The Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation), operating under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra. The final training camp and IChO team selection are managed by IPST (Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology).
Thailand has been a consistent IChO participant since 1990, earning at least one medal every year since 1991. The country's best individual performance was Jesada Temaismithi achieving 2nd place worldwide at the 37th IChO in 2005 (Taipei). Thailand hosted the 49th IChO in 2017 at Nakhon Pathom (near Bangkok), with 76 nations and 297 participants under the theme "Bonding the World with Chemistry."
Competition Pipeline¶
The Thai chemistry olympiad follows a multi-stage elimination model:
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Stage 1: Regional Exam
Open application/exam through 17 POSN regional centers distributed across all regions of Thailand, typically hosted at major universities (e.g., Chiang Mai University, Khon Kaen University, Mahidol Wittayanusorn School). Students (typically high school) sit a written exam.
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Stage 2: POSN Camp 1
Initial training camp focusing on foundational chemistry. Includes paper and practical exams. Top performers advance to Camp 2.
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Stage 3: POSN Camp 2
Advanced, university-level training camp. Students stay in dormitories. Covers complex topics and concludes with final selection exams. Approximately 6 students advance per subject from each center. Students who pass Camp 2 receive university admission benefits, particularly for science and medical faculties.
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Stage 4: National Chemistry Olympiad
Top students from Camp 2 compete at the national level.
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Stage 5: IPST Training & Final Selection
IPST recruits top students from the national competition for intensive training. A 3-day orientation (over 120 students across all four science subjects in 2026) kicks off the process. Final selection produces the 4-student team for IChO.
Student Outcomes¶
Admission Benefits
- POSN Foundation Scholarship: Available for outstanding olympiad participants
- University admission: Students who pass POSN Camp 2 receive special quota/portfolio admission to top Thai universities (Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, etc.), particularly for science and medical faculties
- Alumni network: Former IChO participants return as mentors, speakers, and trainers for subsequent generations
History¶
- 1990: Thailand's first IChO participation (4 students, no medals).
- 1991: First IChO medals won.
- 2002–2003: Golden era — 3 golds each year (Groningen and Athens).
- 2005: Jesada Temaismithi achieves 2nd place worldwide at the 37th IChO.
- 2010: Best modern performance — 3 golds, with two students in the global top 10 (Tokyo).
- 2017: Thailand hosts the 49th IChO in Nakhon Pathom (near Bangkok), with 76 nations and 297 participants. Theme: "Bonding the World with Chemistry." Thai team wins 2 Gold, 2 Silver.
IChO Performance¶
Thailand has participated in the IChO since 1990 and has earned medals in nearly every year since 1991. All-time record: 28 Gold, 75 Silver, 30 Bronze, 1 Honorable Mention.
Unique Features¶
- Royal patronage: The POSN Foundation operates under the patronage of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, giving the program significant prestige and institutional support.
- Unified multi-subject pipeline: Chemistry, physics, mathematics, and informatics all follow the same POSN Camp 1 → Camp 2 → National → IPST structure.
- WYCTO participation: Thailand also participates in the World Youth Chemistry Talent Olympiad (WYCTO), a newer international chemistry competition for grades 10–12, providing an additional pathway beyond IChO.
- Hosting legacy: Thailand's hosting of the 49th IChO (2017) demonstrated strong organizational capacity and boosted the profile of chemistry education in the country.
Past Exams Archive¶
Since 2018¶
| Year | National Theory |
Solution | National Experiment |
Solution | Regional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Question | ||||
| 2026 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Instruction Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
| 2025 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
| 2024 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
| 2023 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Instruction Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
| 2022 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
| 2021 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | |||
| 2020 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
| 2019 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
| 2018 | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question Answer Sheet | Solution | Question |
Before 2017¶
| Year | National Theory |
Solution | National Experiment |
Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2016 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2015 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2014 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2013 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2012 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2011 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2010 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2009 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2008 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2007 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2006 | Question | Solution | Question | Solution |
| 2005 | Question | Solution |