Thai Higher Education: Privatization and Massification

Abstract

Higher education has played a vital role in Thailand’s development, politics, and society. The evolution of Thai higher education reflects the unique qualities of Thai culture while integrating important contributions from the West. From broad issues of enrollment to the specifics of what it is like to attend a Thai university, this chapter provides descriptive and analytical commentary on Thai higher education. It analyzes issues such as the challenges of private universities being treated more like competitors than partners to public higher education, how an increased focus on standardization has led to the homogeneity of higher education institutions, and inequality in Thai society resulting from the higher education system. This chapter describes the evolution of higher education in Thailand with a focus on the major trends of privatization and massification beginning in the late 1960s. It then goes on to describe and analyze a spectrum of issues related to Thai higher education such as policies, funding, quality assurance, and university life. Most importantly, this chapter identifies the key challenges facing higher education in Thailand in the future.