Born into a poor family in Bangkok
Kanokporn could not grow to her full potential at school because of her family's financial struggle — not because she lacked ability.
Founders · Ron & Kanokporn
Ron & Kanokporn — building ChatClass and AI teacher Joy
Kanokporn grew up in a poor family in Bangkok and could not reach her full potential at school because of money — she fought through English until she could work in it overseas and help run her family's business with her husband Ron. Ron is an education leader who saw the same pattern in Thai classrooms. Together they built ChatClass.
Ron & Kanokporn
Co-founders of ChatClass
In brief
A long road that ends in Thai classrooms
Ron was working at Thaksin University as an Assistant Director before the campus moved from Songkhla. He then founded an education consultancy in Thailand, which he sold to an international teacher-training company a few years later. Ron went on to work with Aboriginal communities in Australia's Northern Territory, eventually moving back to New Zealand, where he ran successful businesses for the next 15 years.
Kanokporn took a different path — from a girl in a poor Bangkok family who could not study to her full potential, to someone who could work in English and help run her family's business with her husband Ron, overseas.
They ran a successful business together for 15 years, before returning to Thailand for the new project they had planned — the most cost-effective way to help students, schools and teachers grow together. That project is ChatClass and AI teacher "Joy".
We did not build this for people who already have everything. We built it for children no one invests in — and schools no one supports.
Kanokporn's story
She was once the child this system left behind
That is why tuition is 25 THB per week, not 2,500 THB per month
Struggling with English, but kept at it
After marrying her husband nearly 25 years ago she worked hard and kept pushing her English even when it was difficult — with Ron supporting her the whole way.
Moved overseas — and worked in English
When they moved overseas she was able to communicate and work in English. The language that had been a wall became a door.
A seed started growing
From there a seed started growing in her: she wanted others to succeed the way she had — without needing the luck she needed.
Kanokporn
Co-founder
English changed her life because someone supported her when it was hard — AI teacher "Joy" is that person for every Thai child.
Ron's story
The path to ChatClass
Thaksin University
Assistant Director
Ron was Assistant Director at Thaksin University before it moved to its new campus. He also taught English to the local business community to help the area develop in international markets, setting up large contracts with Songkhla Canning Company and the local helicopter companies — they were already in the international arena, but needed English honed and extended to more staff.
Thailand
Founded an education consultancy — sold to an international teacher-training company
He founded an education consultancy in Thailand, then sold it to an international teacher-training company a few years later.
Northern Territory, Australia
Working with Aboriginal communities
Ron went on to work with Aboriginal communities in Australia's Northern Territory — communities that know poverty and being overlooked better than most.
New Zealand
New Zealand — 15 years of successful businesses
He eventually moved back to New Zealand, where he ran successful businesses for the next 15 years — with Kanokporn working alongside him.
Then "Joy" was born
Ron and Kanokporn designed and brought this project to life together — because they believe it is the most cost-effective way to help not just students, but schools and teachers grow at the same time.
They have been together and working side by side for a long time. Now they are on a new road — the road of helping others
What we believe
Three things that do not change
Price, welfare fund, 10:1 scholarships, and AI teacher "Joy" — everything comes from these three convictions.
A welfare fund for the expansion of English education in schools
For every 25 THB, 5 THB goes back to the school welfare fund — language labs, IT, teaching resources. Schools pay nothing for Joy.
People who have experienced poverty and social stigma
Kanokporn was that child — capable, but from a family that could not fund her. Ron saw the same pattern in Thai classrooms and in Aboriginal communities. Neither of them needed a book to learn it.
People who want to give poor children new opportunities for the future
ChatClass opens English to every child — 25 THB/week, no pressure to sign up, it is not compulsory. It is a tool to help people get some of the best English-language tuition for a very small price. Every 10 paying students gives 1 disadvantaged child full access free. They are not used in ads, there is no stigma, and their names stay private.
School welfare fund
Money flows back to schools, not out of them
For every 25 THB a student sends, 5 THB goes straight to the school welfare fund — language labs, computers, and teaching materials. Schools are never charged a single baht for the AI teacher or services delivered to staff.
The more students use ChatClass, the more English learning expands in the school — that is the whole point.
How every 25 THB is split
20 THB
AI teacher platform — speech processing, scoring, lesson plans
5 THB
Routed automatically to the student's school welfare fund
A 1,000-student school = 5,000 THB per week = 200,000 THB per school year — and unlocks 100 free scholarships for disadvantaged children
From the founders
Along the way
Ron with a student — this work started in real classrooms
Building AI teacher Joy
At a recognition ceremony
Founder contact
Talk with Ron
Talk · Learn · Grow
Start learning with teacher Joy — 25 THB per week. Every 10 paying students fund one child who cannot afford the 25 THB.