Prathom students in a hill school near Mae Hong Son, wearing a school uniform that consists of an indigo blue cotton shirt called seua mo hom (fig.).

In the Thai educational system, elementary or primary school consists of six years and is preceded by two years of anubahn or kindergarten, and six years of mathayom or high school, which is divided into three years of junior high school and three years of senior high school.

Compulsory education starts at the first year of prathom and ends at the third grade of mathayom, though in remote areas even these low standards may not be met.