2012 - A New Beginning for Peter: Changing to Varee Chiangmai School
Photo Gallery & Story
When Peter was six years old, I began to worry about his future.
He had spent two happy years at the local kindergarten and one year at the small village school near our home. But when I met Cop’s old classmates — teenagers from that same school — I realized that none of them could speak or even understand a single English sentence.
That discovery worried me deeply.
Peter already spoke good English for his age, and I feared that if he stayed there, he would lose what he had learned. I wanted him to keep developing and to one day have the confidence to explore the wider world.
So, as soon as the school year ended in March, I took him on my old motorbike to Chiang Mai city to look for a new school. We visited one that didn’t feel right, and then — almost by chance — arrived at Varee Chiangmai School. From the moment we walked through the gate, we were welcomed with warmth and kindness.
A teacher explained that the school’s annual English Camp had just begun — a one-month program to help children learn through fun and daily practice. Without hesitation, I signed Peter up.
The next morning, Peter began his first day at Varee.
The video below captures those unforgettable moments — our early morning ride from Doi Saket, our first visit, and Peter’s very first day at English Camp. The first five minutes show everything that mattered: a father’s hope, a young boy’s curiosity, and the beginning of a new chapter.
For the next year, I borrowed an old 20-year-old Mazda from Ann’s cousin so I could bring Peter safely to and from school. It was slow and often broke down, but it carried us faithfully every day. Then, in the following year, the Thai government introduced a program for first-time car owners, with special price reductions and payment plans. Thanks to that opportunity, Ann was able to buy a new Honda City on installments — the same car that still serves us today.
In those early years, my pension had just begun, and I could still manage Peter’s school fees. But when the Thai baht strengthened sharply and the Norwegian krone fell, my pension’s buying power was suddenly cut almost in half. It became difficult — sometimes nearly impossible — to keep up with the expenses of a good education.
And then something unforgettable happened.
Without me ever asking, my dear friends in Norway — Kari and Eilif — stepped forward. They saw the situation, understood the importance of Peter’s schooling, and quietly offered to help. Their generosity continued through the years and made it possible for Peter to stay at Varee, to grow, and eventually to dream far beyond the hills of Doi Saket.
Looking back, the decision to move Peter to Varee was one of the most important I have ever made.
It opened doors for him that would later lead to United World College in Africa, and eventually to St. Olaf College in the United States.
And through all those years, Kari and Eilif’s kindness made an extraordinary difference — not only in practical terms, but in the hope and security their friendship gave us. Their belief in Peter is a gift that words can hardly express.
A First Visit — When a school opened a New World - Please watch the first 5 minutes...
Video Story
This video captures a day I will never forget — the day Peter and I first visited Varee Chiangmai School.
It begins simply in our garden. Peter climbs onto the motorbike, waves to Koh, and off we go — stopping first for an ice cream. Neither of us knew then how important this day would become.
As we arrive at the school gate, everything feels bright and welcoming. “Why are we here?” Peter asks — and soon the answer reveals itself.
A senior administrator kindly shows us around and takes us to the chapel, where rows of children are gathered for the opening of the annual English Camp — smiling, singing, and full of energy. Standing there, watching Peter take it all in, I knew we had found his future.
Before long, he is being measured for his first uniforms, his name soon to be embroidered on each one. We registered him for English Camp and for his first year at the school.
When we finally leave, Peter falls asleep on the motorbike — exhausted from excitement — and I know we will soon need to borrow a car.
His journey had begun.
The Day we found Varee Chiangmai School
From our garden in Doi Saket to the gates of Varee Chiangmai School —
One simple ride that changed everything.
In First Grade, Peter celebrates his 7th birthday with his new friends - with Ann and Koh helping with the cake:
A Place Where Curiosity Takes Flight
Varee Chiangmai School is much more than a school to our family — it is the place where Peter’s future began to unfold.
Here, among the trees, the open spaces, and the gentle atmosphere of learning, he discovered not only academic growth, but confidence, purpose, and joy.
One morning in May 2022, I walked across the campus and recorded a short video.
The school was completely quiet — no students, no voices, no laughter — due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Yet even in silence, the beauty of the place was overwhelming.
It felt almost like a peaceful garden waiting for the sound of life to return.
On that day, there were only two students on campus — Peter and one classmate.
They were there for something very special: to deliver live online presentations in English to NARIT — the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand as part of a national competition in astronomy.
Peter’s project was titled:
“The Study of Exoplanet WASP-43b Period by Using the Transit Method.”
He did not win — but he came close, and soon afterward he was invited to present his research again - in English - this time at the 7th Thai Astronomical Conference.
For his efforts, he received a certificate of acknowledgement from NARIT — a proud moment for all of us.
I believe deeply that his dedication to astronomy and the opportunity to pursue such interests at Varee helped him on the path that later led to his nomination for the United World Colleges scholarship.
This school offered our son not only knowledge — but a place to dream, explore, and grow.
Certificate from NARIT - National Astronomy Research Institute of Thailand
Among Thailand's most beautiful schools!
Varee Chiangmai School - Its unique and inspiring history:
Peter’s wonderful school, Varee Chiangmai School, has a unique and inspiring history that I would like to share with you.
The founder of Varee Chiangmai School is Ajan Varee, a remarkable educator who began her journey with a small kindergarten in Chiang Mai. Her warmth, dedication, and care quickly won the hearts of both the children and their parents. When the oldest children reached the end of kindergarten and needed to move on to primary school, the parents insisted that Ajan Varee continue guiding their children beyond kindergarten.
True to her generous spirit, Ajan Varee accepted the challenge. She opened the first primary class — and that was the beginning of Varee Chiangmai School.
Today, Ajan Varee is deeply respected and loved by thousands of students, both past and present. Peter is proud to be one of them. From everything I have seen and heard, Varee Chiangmai School is now considered one of the finest and most beautiful schools in the entire country.
Please take a few minutes to watch the videos below. If you are planning to move to Chiang Mai with your family and are looking for a good school — as I once did for Peter — I warmly recommend visiting Varee Chiangmai School.
Let me also add that on the same beautiful campus, there are actually two schools founded by Ajan Varee:
The international school, Varee Chiangmai International School, and the Thai school, Varee Chiangmai School, where Peter was a student for ten wonderful years.