Discover the rich culture and spirit of Thailand while meeting the people who are known for their friendliness and hospitality. Thailand offers courses in English in an exotic location, perfect if you're a student with a sense of adventure and independence. Visit an elephant sanctuary, browse through fresh food markets and take a Thai cooking class in the land of smiles.

Languages Spoken:

Thai

Education System

HIGHER EDUCATION OVERVIEW

In the early days, the majority of people were educated in Buddhist monasteries by monks. In an effort to consolidate Thailand’s independence and to modernize the country, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) introduced far-sighted reforms in the government bureaucracy after he assumed the throne in 1868. Centers of higher education were established and subsequently flourished as Thailand embarked on a path of development that increased the need for educated people.

There are presently 29 public universities in Thailand. In addition, higher education is offered at private universities, institutes of technology, vocational and technical colleges, teachers' colleges and professional colleges. In order to be admitted into a degree program in higher education, a person must hold the secondary school-leaving certificate and must take the national university entrance examination, which is given each year in April.

The bachelor's degree usually takes four years to complete, but an additional one to two years may be required for certain fields. Graduate education leads to a master's degree after one to two years of study and presentation of a thesis. A doctorate is awarded after an additional two to five years of graduate study.

STUDYING IN THAILAND

Academic Calendar

The university academic year is broken into two semesters. Thammasat’s semester dates vary by program. The standard, general education program runs from August through May; semester one is from August to December and semester two is from January to May.

Registration

Contact your host coordinator for details on course registration.

Teaching and Learning Style

Students should be prepared for a more casual, flexible style of lecture and assessment, though this does not mean courses are not rigorous. Thammasat faculty members are among the most respected in their fields and many have earned their doctorate degrees at international universities. Classes are either in the form of seminars or lectures. Lecture classes are very large, while seminars are intimate and encourage class participation. Thai students are required to attend classes regularly in order to pass their courses. Each student has an advisor who aids in choosing classes and registering. Professors and academic advisors are usually readily available for consultation.

Course Load and Contact Hours

The typical course load is three to six courses per semester, which equates to 15 to 17 hours of class per week. Each semester runs approximately 16 weeks long.

Assessment and Grading

Assignments tend to be long-term ones such as term projects, papers and/or final exams. Very few tests, quizzes or short homework assignments are given throughout the semester. Emphasis is put mostly on the final exam or project grade. The student must exercise self-discipline to keep up with readings and class lectures. University grades are given on an A to F scale with A being the highest.

Campus Culture

Most Thai students live at home with their family, or, if they come from another city, live close to the university in shared apartments or rented rooms. Since no students live directly on campus in dormitories, social life is concentrated more in the city.

Transcripts

Transcripts will be sent to the ISEP Global Office. If the student has no outstanding issues with the ISEP office, ISEP will forward the transcript to the home university. Please note that it takes eight to 12 weeks from the end of the examination period before transcripts from Thammasat University arrive at ISEP Global. Students that require transcripts for graduation at their home university are strongly advised to confirm with their registrar’s office that this period of time does not affect their ability to graduate on time.

Visa and Residency

Please note that students should ALWAYS check the website of the embassy/consulate with jurisdiction over their place of residence first, as the information in this handbook regarding visa application instructions is subject to change without warning. In addition, visa requirements can vary depending on the country your passport is issued in.

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PASSPORT NOTIFICATION: If you have yet to obtain a current passport, please do so immediately. Your host institution may also request a copy of your passport by a certain deadline (for visa or admission purposes), and failure to meet this deadline could have serious consequences. For visa purposes, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the end date of your academic program.

STUDENT VISA

SEMESTER & YEAR PROGRAMS (or) YEAR PROGRAMS (if different than semester Visa)

Type of visa: Non-immigrant ED
Note: Thammasat will submit a letter of recommendation to the consulate indicating a single-entry visa. As of November 2024, students cannot receive a multi-entry visa to enter Thailand and will only be able to apply for a single-entry Non-Immigrant ED visa.

Visa fees: $80

Expected Processing Time: 5-15 Days

When to apply: Immediately after you receive your acceptance letter from your host university.

List of All Thai Diplomatic Missions (Consulates/Embassies) Around the World

Most students do not need to apply for their visa in person at their local consulate/embassy, and can take advantage of the convenient E-Visa service. Please check with your local consular authority to determine whether you are eligible for the E-Visa application.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months

• Visa application form completely filled out

• Recent (4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant

• Recommendation letter from host university addressed to the consulate

• Letter of acceptance from the host university

• Academic record and the Student ID (if currently studying)

• Consular officers reserve the right to request additional documents as deemed necessary

• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration of your stay. You need USD$4,000 if you are traveling alone.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

A Thailand Student Visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days for a single entry or multiple entries. Before your visa is up, you can apply to extend it at the Thailand Immigration Department for a fee of around USD 60. You have to extend it every 90 days before the expiration of the existing visa.

As of November 2024, Thai Embassies do not issue multi-entry Non-Immigrant ED visas to students. However, this is still okay since you can also apply for a multiple re-entry permit once you arrive in Thailand. More information can be found here.

Students Visa holders cannot work during their study abroad in Thailand unless they obtain a Work Permit.

Last Updated: August 2023

Culture

LANGUAGE AND RELIGION

Of Thailand’s nearly 65 million citizens, the vast majority (roughly 80%) is ethnically Thai. The next largest ethnicity is Chinese, making up 15% of the population. Other ethnicities represented throughout the country include Indian, Malay, Khmer, and Burmese. More than 92% of the population speaks the official language, Thai, and/or one of its regional dialects. English is also widely spoken and understood throughout the country. An overwhelming majority (95%) of the population is Buddhist, with Theravada Buddhism as the official religion. Practitioners are largely tolerant and respectful of other religions. Approximately 4% of Thais are Muslim; the majority live in the southern provinces near the Malaysian border. Other religions practiced in Thailand include Hinduism, Christianity, and Taoism, which are generally practiced by those living in the multi-cultural city of Bangkok.

CUSTOMS

Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body literally and figuratively. Avoid touching people on the head. The feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body; do not point your feet at people or an object, particularly at the image of the Buddha. It is considered very rude. Thais have a deep respect for the Buddha. Also, shoes should be removed when entering homes and temples.

THAI ROYAL FAMILY

Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family. It is against the law to insult the King or Royal family. Due to recent political tension, prosecutions of "Lèse majesté" crimes have increased among foreigners and Thais alike. Therefore, be careful when commenting on the Royal Family. When you are in Thailand you might notice that the national anthem is played twice a day at 8 a.m and 6 p.m. It is played on all radio and tv stations as well at bus stations, police stations and other civic centres. Wherever you are you should be prepared to stop what you are doing and stand up politely.

COMMUNICATION STYLE

The Thai people value courtesy, politeness, and self-control as a means to maintain harmonious relations. It is a non-confrontational society, so public displays of anger or criticism are avoided. Thais tend to communicate in an indirect way in comparison to Westerners. Thais almost never say "no," and frequently use "yes" to convey understanding. Try to pick up on non-verbal cues and words of indifference. Subtle gestures could completely change the meaning behind the words.

Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another. Instead, they practice the "wai." To do the wai, one must press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture somewhere between the chest and the forehead. The wai may be made by sitting, walking, or standing. Generally, a younger person wais to an elder, who then returns the gesture.

THE LAND OF SMILES

Thais tend to smile often and for a wide variety of situations and emotions. For example, a Thai friend may smile at you if you make a cultural mistake. Don’t take this to mean that your friend is insulting you. More likely, your Thai friend is trying to stop you from being embarrassed. A smile can convey a negative feeling as well, depending on the situation. It will take some time, but eventually you will begin to understand various meanings behind the smile.

FAMILY AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Thais respect hierarchical relationships which are defined by seniority. Parents are superior to children, teachers to students, and bosses to subordinates. In order to place you within a hierarchy, a Thai stranger might ask rather personal questions. Family life is the cornerstone of Thai society. Parents are at the top of the family hierarchy and children are taught to honor their parents.

FOOD

Thai cuisine is based on a balance between spicy, sweet, salty, and bitter flavors. Thais typically eat meals family-style in order to experience the contrast in flavors between two or three dishes. One distinctive aspect of Thai food is the use of fresh herbs and spices. Additionally, fish sauce is largely used in authentic Thai dishes. There are regional variations to Thai food due to the influence of neighboring countries such as China and Malaysia. A staple food throughout the country is rice, which is eating with most meals, from breakfast to dessert. Jasmine rice is the most coveted and expensive rice. Popular rice dishes include khao pad, or fried rice with pork or chicken, chilies, and fish sauce; khao tom, which is a salty porridge-like soup cooked with pork and garlic and served for breakfast; finally, khao niaw, or sticky rice, is eaten with grilled chicken and spicy papaya salad. Chicken and fish are commonly used meats. Noodles are more and more common due to Chinese influence, although rice remains the staple. Popular drinks include Thai beer, fruit smoothies made with fresh fruit, coconut milk, and Thai ice tea.

It’s fairly common for smaller condos and apartments to not include a kitchen space, and many Thammasat students purchase most of their meals while on program.

LGBTQIA+

It is recommended that LGBTQIA+ students conduct personal research on their host country before departing for their program. Students should keep in mind that social attitudes and acceptance may vary based on a number of factors including region, age, and the local political climate. You can find some resources on our Identity Abroad page. If you would like to be connected with your host coordinator or an alumni who identifies as LGBTQAI+ before your departure, please contact your Student Services Officer.

Daily Life