The Cabinet has approved four new special economic corridors where leading foreign universities will be allowed to establish campuses. The move aims to upgrade Thailand’s workforce, support high-tech industries, and strengthen national competitiveness. Demand from the Eastern Economic Corridor alone shows nearly 476,000 skilled positions needed between 2019 and 2023, especially in robotics, advanced manufacturing, and technology.
The new zones include the Northern, Northeastern, Central–Western, and Southern Economic Corridors. These areas will join the EEC as official locations for hosting high-potential foreign institutions. At the same time, the government will update the 2017 rules for foreign universities to better match current global standards. Incoming institutions must hold strong international rankings, outperform Thai universities in the same academic fields, and present clear student-intake plans. All proposals will be reviewed by the sub-committee overseeing foreign higher-education operations.
The overall goal is to position Thailand as a regional hub for international universities, encourage partnerships with Thai institutions, and raise the quality of higher education to global levels. Existing models in the EEC include collaborations with National Taiwan University, Carnegie Mellon (through KMITL), and Les Roches in hospitality management.
With global top universities leading international rankings and Thai universities placed in the 601–1500 ranges, the government views educational reform as key to economic restructuring. Strengthening human capital is seen as essential for addressing slow growth, an aging population, and the need for a more advanced workforce aligned with Thailand’s future industries.
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