Universities in Thailand ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 124 Universities in Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (Thai: changwat), further subdivided into 878 districts (Thai: amphoe), along with one special administrative area representing the capital, Bangkok. The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in this special administrative area. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all provinces that include at least one Thai higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Bangkok (40)  
Buriram (1)  
Chachoengsao (1)  
Chaiyaphum (1)  
Chanthaburi (1)  
Chiang Mai (7)  
Chiang Rai (2)  
Chonburi (2)  
Kalasin (1)  
Kamphaeng Phet (1)  
Kanchanaburi (2)  
Khon Kaen (2)  
Lampang (2)  
Loei (1)  
Lopburi (1)  
Maha Sarakham (2)  
Nakhon Nayok (1)  
Nakhon Pathom (4)  
Nakhon Phanom (1)  
Nakhon Ratchasima (4)  
Nakhon Sawan (3)  
Nakhon Si Thammarat (2)  
Narathiwat (1)  
Nonthaburi (1)  
Pathum Thani (7)  
Phayao (1)  
Phetchabun (1)  
Phetchaburi (1)  
Phitsanulok (3)  
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (3)  
Phuket (1)  
Ratchaburi (1)  
Roi Et (1)  
Sakon Nakhon (1)  
Samut Prakan (1)  
Saraburi (1)  
Sisaket (2)  
Songkhla (5)  
Surat Thani (2)  
Surin (1)  
Ubon Ratchathani (4)  
Udon Thani (1)  
Uttaradit (1)  
Yala (2)  

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Overview of Thailand Universities

Thailand's higher education system comprises universities, vocational colleges and specialized institutions regulated by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The sector includes 124 universities categorized as public (65%) or private (35%). Public universities receive state funding and dominate rankings, while private institutions offer specialized programs. Thai universities provide comprehensive education across disciplines including technology, health sciences, agriculture and humanities at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. International programs taught in English are increasingly available, particularly in Bangkok and major regional hubs.

Top 10 Thailand Universities

1. Mahidol University (MU) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล. Established 1888 in Nakhon Pathom. Public research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Health sciences, engineering, social sciences. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #1, WorldRank #570.
2. Chulalongkorn University (CU) - Thai: จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย. Established 1917 in Bangkok. Public comprehensive research university. Fields: Business, engineering, arts, medicine. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #2, WorldRank #612.
3. Chiang Mai University (CMU) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่. Established 1964 in Chiang Mai. Public comprehensive research university. Fields: Agriculture, sciences, humanities. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #3, WorldRank #837.
4. Kasetsart University (KU) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์. Established 1943 in Bangkok. Public comprehensive research university. Fields: Agricultural sciences, engineering, economics. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #4, WorldRank #1003.
5. Thammasat University (TU) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์. Established 1934 in Bangkok. Public comprehensive research university. Fields: Law, political science, economics. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #5, WorldRank #1235.
6. Prince of Songkla University (PSU) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์. Established 1967 in Hat Yai, Songkhla. Public comprehensive research university. Fields: Medicine, engineering, tourism. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #6, WorldRank #1241.
7. Khon Kaen University (KKU) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น. Established 1964 in Khon Kaen. Public comprehensive research university. Fields: Medicine, engineering, agriculture. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #7, WorldRank #1313.
8. Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) - Thai: สถาบันเทคโนโลยีแห่งเอเชีย. Established 1959 in Pathum Thani. Private specialized research university. Fields: Engineering, technology, environment. Levels: Master's to Doctoral. CountryRank #8, WorldRank #1454.
9. Ramkhamhaeng University (RU) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยรามคำแหง. Established 1971 in Bangkok. Public comprehensive teaching university. Fields: Law, business, humanities. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #9, WorldRank #1903.
10. King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) - Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าธนบุรี. Established 1960 in Bangkok. Public specialized research university. Fields: Engineering, applied sciences. Levels: Bachelor's to Doctoral. CountryRank #10, WorldRank #1957.

Analysis of University Types

Thailand's 124 universities comprise 81 public institutions (65% of total) and 43 private institutions (35%). Public universities dominate the higher education landscape, representing nearly two-thirds of all universities. These state-funded institutions typically have larger enrollments and broader research mandates. Private universities, while fewer in number, offer specialized programs and greater flexibility, particularly in emerging fields like technology and international business education.

Global Ranking and Standing

Thai universities show moderate global representation with 3 institutions ranked in the top 1,000 worldwide (2.4% of Thailand's universities). No Thai universities currently rank in the top 200 globally. The presence of three universities in the top 1,000 demonstrates Thailand's growing higher education competitiveness, though this represents only 2.4% of the country's total universities. These top-ranked Thailand universities globally include Mahidol University, Chulalongkorn University and Chiang Mai University.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many universities are in Thailand?
A: Thailand has 124 accredited universities.

Q: What is Thailand's top-ranked university?
A: Mahidol University consistently ranks #1 in Thailand.

Q: Are there English-taught programs in Thai universities?
A: Yes, most top universities offer English-track degrees, especially at graduate level.

Q: What percentage of Thai universities are public?
A: 65% of Thailand's universities are public institutions.

Q: Which Thai city has the most universities?
A: Bangkok hosts the highest concentration of universities.

Q: Do Thai universities appear in global rankings?
A: Three Thai universities rank within the world's top 1000.

Q: What is the oldest university in Thailand?
A: Mahidol University, established in 1888, is Thailand's oldest.

Q: Are private universities in Thailand reputable?
A: Several private universities like AIT rank among Thailand's top 10.

Q: Which Thai university specializes in technology?
A: KMUTT and AIT are leading technology-focused institutions.

Q: Do Thai universities offer doctoral programs?
A: Yes, all top public universities offer PhD programs.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Thai universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Thailand
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Thai post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Thailand
  Search for Thai higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Thai Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Thai town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Thailand
  Discover Thai public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Thailand
  Find out about Thai private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Thailand
  Explore Thai not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Thailand
  Look for Thai for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Thai Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Thailand have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Thai Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Thailand that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Thai Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Thailand are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Thai Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Thailand with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.