Founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1885 , its alumni include King Ananda Mahidol,[1] Malaysia's founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman,[2] more than 70 cabinet members, including five prime ministers, and numerous military leaders and dignitaries.

Rama V was the first Siamese king to have a Western education, having been taught by a British governess, Anna Leonowens.

New roads, bridges, railways, hospitals and schools mushroomed throughout the country, all funded from the national budget.

"[5]In 1885, he founded the school, naming it in honour of his mother, Debsirindra Queen Ramphoei Phamaraphirom (Thai: รำเพยภมราภิรมย์).

Bangkok suffered heavily in the subsequent Allied bombing raids and Debsirin School, strategically located near the railway, was not spared.