The History of the Thai Province
Father Colombet, a Paris Foreign Missions' priest in charge of Assumption parish of Bangkok, opened a Franco-Siamese school for orphans in 1877. Two years later an English section was also added. However, the official opening of the school was delayed till the year 1885, beginning with 33 students.
In 1901, during his stay in Hôtel-Dieu Hospital at Paris, Fr. Colombet providentially came into contact with the Brothers of St. Gabriel. He asked for some Brothers to help run the school in Bangkok. The first five pioneering Brothers (four French: Abel, Gabriel-Ferretti, Hilaire and Martin-de-Tours, and one Canadian: Bro. Auguste), leaving Marseilles on September 22, arrived in Bangkok on October 20, 1901. A year later four more Brothers joined in. The school was handed over to the administration of the Brothers in February 1902. The difficulties facing the missionary Brothers were the language, the climate, the poor sanitary conditions, the pupils' mentality, and the lack of resources. Besides, some were called back for military service during the First World War.
Due to the tireless efforts of the Brothers the Assumption College achieved fame in a very short time. In 1920 there were 1900 students. The teaching of French and English as well as strict discipline contributed tremendously to its success. Apart from training secretaries and businessmen, the school has turned out many well-known statesmen for the country