The Faculty of Engineering is located in the northernmost part of Bangkok, parallel to the Chao Phraya River and adjacent to Nonthaburi Province. It was originally the site of Phra Nakhon Technological College, which served as the original location of the Department of Public Works during the era of Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram, the Prime Minister. The area covers approximately 22 rai, with Phibulsongkhram Road running through it, dividing the land into two parts. The section along the banks of the Chao Phraya River is occupied by the Department of Public Works, covering about 16 rai, while the other part is a staff housing area, encompassing about 6 rai (Thai-German Technical College).
In the year 1957, the Department of Public Works was abolished following the revolution led by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat.
In 1958, there were many students who graduated from the third year of secondary school and organized to demand admission to a technical school. At that time, there was only one technical school in Bangkok, which was Pathumwan Technical School. The principal, Mr. Sitthiphol Phalachiwit, coordinated with Mr. Sanan Sumit, the Director-General of the Vocational Education Department at that time, to contact the revolutionary committee to request the facilities of the Department of Public Works to be converted into a technical school. Approval was granted to use the Department of Public Works as a technical school in 1958, named Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School (ช.ก.พ.), with Mr. Sitthiphol Phalachiwit also serving as the acting principal.
Mr. Sitthiphol Phalachiwit assigned Mr. Jaras Krittanachinda to lead a team of 10 teachers, including 7 from Pathumwan Technical School and 2 graduates, along with 1 newly appointed teacher, to commence classes for the first time on May 17, 1958. However, the learning conditions were not yet adequate due to a lack of equipment, teachers, and facilities. Therefore, Mr. Sitthiphol provided tools and teaching materials from Pathumwan Technical School to support the instruction and hired approximately 40 more teachers to be the initial faculty of Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School. The school officially began its teaching operations on July 14, 1958, admitting its first batch of 803 students, divided into two sessions: 400 in the morning and 403 in the afternoon. The curriculum covered a total of 10 technical fields.
In 1959, Mr. Kiti Phamon, the assistant principal of Phra Nakhon Commercial School, was appointed as the principal of Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School.
In 1961, Dr. Thanu Saengsak, who served as the principal of Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School, divided the curriculum into five departments: the Automotive Department, the Mechanical Engineering Department, the Welding and Sheet Metal Department, the Electrical Department, and the Telecommunications Department.
In 1963, Mr. Jarun Somchana was appointed as the principal and served until 1974. He is noted for being the principal who stayed at Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School longer than anyone else.
In 1968, Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School introduced a higher vocational certificate program (Vocational Certificate Level 2) in the field of Tool and Die Making as its first department. In 1969, two additional programs were launched: the Automotive Engineering Department and the Electrical Department.
In 1970, two more higher vocational certificate programs (Vocational Certificate Level 2) were introduced: the Welding and Sheet Metal Department and the Electronics Department. This allowed Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School to offer a complete range of technical programs for both lower and higher vocational certificates.
In 1973, with the introduction of both lower and higher vocational certificate programs, Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical School was upgraded to Phra Nakhon Nuea Technical College, with Mr. Jarun Somchana as its first special director.
In 1975, the Technological and Vocational College system was established under the Vocational College Act, transitioning from colleges to campuses, with a total of 29 campuses created. Associate Professor Srikheua Phowathong served as the director.
In 1988, His Majesty the King graciously granted a new name to the college, changing it from a college to “Rajamangala Institute of Technology,” Phra Nakhon Nuea Campus. The institute also sought royal permission to use the royal seal and the royal crown as its official insignia. It began offering bachelor’s degree programs, with Mr. Nakorn Sriwicharn as the first director of Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Phra Nakhon Nuea Campus.
In 2005, Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Phra Nakhon Nuea Campus was elevated to become Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, offering bachelor’s degree programs. The university also expanded its curriculum to include vocational certificate programs (Vocational Certificate Level 2), master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees, continuing to do so to this day.