Few countries can boast the embracing welcome, stunning landscapes and diverse opportunities of Thailand. From its tasty cuisine to its inspiring temples and enchanting people, Thailand offers students a wonderful location in which to further their studies.

Thailand has a tropical climate, as it is located in Southeast Asia and shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, as well as the gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Known as The Land of Smiles, Thailand may be unsurpassed in hospitality to guests.

Thailand has a long, interesting history. It was officially established in 1238 with the first Thai state, Sukothai. The country (known as Siam until 1939) was never colonized by a foreign power, in contrast to all its neighbors in southeastern Asia, which adds to the uniqueness of Thai culture. Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932 in a bloodless revolution, and since 1946, the king of Thailand has been Bhumibol Adulyadej, or Rama IX. While the King may have little direct power, he is revered by the Thai people, and he is the longest-reigning monarch in the world.

Thailand is one of the strongest economies in Southeast Asia. The capital city, Bangkok, serves not only as the administrative head of the country, but also as the nation's cultural, commercial and educational center. Bangkok is a thriving metropolis of more than 8 million people and serves as a shipping, transportation and financial hub for mainland Southeast Asia. Bangkok's central location and active role in regional trade have allowed it to develop with a cosmopolitan, diverse atmosphere while maintaining a culture that is uniquely Thai.

Indeed, students studying in Bangkok will experience the fascinating dichotomy between traditional and modern. The city used to be known as the "Venice of the East" due to its extensive network of canals. Although today some of the Klongs (as the canals are known) have been replaced by roads, they still provide a chance to see parts of Bangkok where life continues at a quieter pace with floating shops, wooden houses and flower-lined canals.

Outside Bangkok, students will also encounter many wonderful opportunities. Thailand's northern area is a mountainous region and home to the country's second-largest city, Chiang Mai, as well as numerous indigenous tribes whose people live today very much as they did hundreds of years ago. Chiang Mai is more relaxed than Bangkok and is known for its diversity and international flavor. At the same time, it is clearly rooted in its past, made obvious from the remains of the moat that once encircled the city to its museums, temples and lively night bazaar. The northeastern part of the country is dominated by a vast plateau, while the central portion is a sweeping lowland plain. Thailand also encompasses a number of islands which are popular with tourists and divers.

There are more than 30 colleges, universities, community colleges and technical institutions from which to choose in Bangkok alone, and more than 100 in the country altogether. These range from state-sponsored schools, like the prestigious Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University, to private universities such as the international Assumption University, which conducts all its classes in English. With excellent courses of study from science and engineering to travel and tourism, Thai universities have something for everyone. For those wishing to study outside Bangkok, some of the less-urban areas of Thailand also have excellent universities.

Many of the most proactive ecology, agriculture and development studies of Southeast Asia are happening in Thailand. Many study abroad programs capitalize on this trend, such as the program through Kalamazoo College that explores the relationship between ecology, human communities and development through experiential learning and intensive field studies. Other U.S. institutions collaborate with Thai universities, such as SUNY Brockport, whose program provides U.S. academic credit for study at Mahidol University in Thailand.

Education is taken extremely seriously in Thailand. Thai students study rigorously for university entrance exams and compete to be accepted at the best schools. The Thai government is dedicated to furthering the cause of education, as documented by the Education Act of 1999, the nearly 1,000 scholarships offered annually and the huge push to enhance English education and to put Thai universities at the forefront of science and engineering. Whatever your background, whatever your interest, the time is certainly right to explore Thailand as the place to further your education.

ONLINE RESOURCES
IIEPassport.org: http://www.IIEPassport.org
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Lonely Planet:http://www.lonelyplanet.com
World Bank:http://www.worldbank.org/
UK Government:https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/

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