Dr Pumsaran Tongliemnak, a researcher at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Education, described the students as “resilient” in overcoming adversity. Their number is estimated based on their percentage in actual test takers.

“Despite their unfortunate economic and social circumstances, they have managed to shine. Their scientific thinking is nearly three years more advanced than average students in the same PISA test,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

The Quality Learning Foundation and the World Bank organised the event to highlight the hope that Thailand can discover in underprivileged children.

Speakers at a press conference emphasised that if these children continued to receive educational opportunities, they would be quality human resources for Thailand’s development – not just unskilled labourers.

More than half a million 15-year-olds took part in the latest PISA.