“Did they really paint it red just to stand out?” a student might have wondered, gazing at the newly erected St. Gabriel’s Hall. It’s 1922, and the building, a passion project of Brother Martin de Tours himself, stands vibrant and proud against the Bangkok skyline. Known affectionately as “tuk-daeng,” meaning “the red building,” St. Gabriel’s Hall wasn’t just a landmark. It was a symbol of hope and opportunity, a beacon ignited in response to the burgeoning post-war yearning for education. The year before, Brother Martin, recognizing this need, envisioned a new school, a brother to the already established Assumption College. A generous plot offered by Father Brozat, of the nearby Saint Francis Xavier Church, became the foundation for this dream. The halls of St. Gabriel’s Hall have seen generations of young men pass through. Initially a space echoing with the footsteps of 141 students, St. Gabriel’s Hall later witnessed its role evolve. No longer a classroom, it housed the offices of the school’s leaders, standing as a testament to the institution’s rich history and enduring legacy. Today, carefully preserved and renovated, it stands as a silent guardian, a memory etched in brick and mortar, whispering tales of ambition, dedication, and the pursuit of knowledge that has come to define St. Gabriel’s College.
Garuda Museum
Behold the Garuda, a four-meter sculpture spreading its wings. This is the entrance to Southeast Asia’s one and only Garuda