Thammasat University

Thammasat University (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์, lit. 'The University of Jurisprudence', RTGS: Mahawitthayalai Thammasat; TU; Thai: มธ) is a public university in Thailand with campuses in the Tha Phra Chan area of Bangkok, Rangsit, Pattaya and Lampang.

Thammasat University is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established to be the national university of Thailand on 27 June 1934, it was named by its founder, Pridi Banomyong, the University of Moral and Political Sciences (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยวิชาธรรมศาสตร์และการเมือง; RTGS: Mahawitthayalai Wicha Thammasat Lae Kanmueang). It began as an open university, with 7,094 students studying law and politics in its first year.

In 1960, the university ended its free-entry policy and became the first in Thailand to require passing national entrance examinations for admission. Thammasat today offers more than 240 academic programmes in 33 different faculties and colleges on four campuses. Over the 80 years since its foundation, Thammasat University has evolved from an open university for law and politics to an international university offering all levels of academic degrees in many fields and disciplines. It has graduated more than 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university's alumni have included some of Thailand's prime ministers, leading politicians, governmental figures, Bank of Thailand governors, and jurists. As of 2024, Thammasat University has about 39,000 students enrolled in 33 faculties, colleges, institutes and 2,000 academic staff.

Tha Phra Chan Campus, the original campus of the university, is in Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. The campus is in close proximity to many tourist destinations and was the site of the 14 October 1973 uprising and the 6 October 1976 massacre. Rangsit campus, where most undergraduate programmes are concentrated, is in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani. Thammasat has smaller regional campuses in Lampang and Pattaya.

History

The name "Thammasat" derives from the Buddhist-term Dhammasattha, meaning "study of law".

University of Law and Political Sciences

Thammasat University began in 1934 as the University of Law and Political Sciences. This was two years after the so-called Siamese revolution of 1932 and eighteen years after the founding of Chulalongkorn University by transforming the law school of Prince Raphi Phatthanasak Krommaluang Ratcha Buri Direk Rit, which dated back to 1907. Thammasat University was the brainchild of Pridi Banomyong, the father of Thailand's democracy and the minister of interior, who drafted the "University of Law and Political Science Act 1934". The university was inaugurated on 27 June 1934, and Pridi served as the university's first chancellor.

The university is based on the sixth principle of the People's Party.

The first announcement of Khana Ratsadon stated the government "must provide the people with full education" because people "lack education, which is reserved for royals". The desire of students at the school of law to be upgraded to a university rather than simply a department at Chulalongkorn University also helped Thammasat University become the successor of the law school. The property and faculty of the law school were transferred to University of Law and Political Science, and the old law school building was the first Thammasat site. The university moved to Tha Phra Chan campus the following year.

When the university opened, 7,094 people applied for admission. At that time, Chulalongkorn University was graduating only 68 students a year. Thammasat initially offered a bachelor's degree with an emphasis on legal studies and previously banned economics and political science, plus a bachelor's degree equivalent diploma in accountancy. Master's degree courses soon followed in law, political science, and economics, and doctoral degree courses in law, political science, economics, and diplomacy.

During its early years, the university did not rely on government funding, but instead relied on its low tuition fees and interest paid by the Bank of Asia for Industry and Commerce, in which the university had an 80% stake.

Under Pridi's leadership, the university became the clandestine headquarters of the Free Thai anti-Japanese underground during the Second World War. Ironically, the university campus also functioned as an internment camp for Allied civilians, with Thai guards more or less protecting them from abuses by the occupying Japanese. The internment camp was where the Multipurpose Building now stands.

Seal

The seal depicts the centerpiece of the Democracy Monument, Bangkok, which itself honours the Thai Constitution of 1932. It is superimposed on a Dhammacakka, or 'wheel of law', symbolising the Dharmaśāstra, the university's name in Sanskrit.

Campuses

Thammasat University has two campuses in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Tha Phra Chan and Rangsit. There are two regional campuses: Lampang and Pattaya.

Tha Phra Chan

Tha Phra Chan Centre (Thai: ศูนย์ท่าพระจันทร์) is in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, surrounded by many of Thailand's most famous cultural and historical landmarks, such as Sanam Luang, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Bangkok National Museum, the National Theatre, Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit, and the Chao Phraya River. It was the first permanent campus of Thammasat, purchased from the military with public donations in 1935. The site had originally been part of the Front Palace of the deputy king (formerly the designated heir to the throne).

The signature building of the university is the Dome, the original Tha Phra Chan campus building. It was constructed from four existing military buildings. The Dome housed Pridi Banomyong's office as well as being the command centre of the Free Thai Movement during the Second World War. Late in the war, when an uprising against the occupying Japanese was planned, weapons were concealed in the attic.

The Tha Phra Chan campus played a role in the uprising against the military regime on 14 October 1973 and was the site of the 6 October 1976 Massacre.

Eight faculties are based at the Tha Phra Chan campus: law, political science, economics, commerce and accountancy, liberal arts, social administration, journalism and mass communication, and sociology and anthropology. As of 2019, only postgraduate programmes, integrated bachelor's and master's programmes, and the English-language international programmes are offered at Tha Phra Chan (except those in engineering, health sciences, and journalism which are at the Rangsit Center). Thammasat Tha Phra Chan offers a Thai Language courses for foreigners. Tha Phra Chan facilities include a football field, a track, a gymnasium, eight libraries, and several cafeterias.

Rangsit

Rangsit Centre (Thai: ศูนย์รังสิต) is the second and largest Thammasat campus. It is in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, 42 km north of Bangkok, connected Tha Phra Chan by shuttle bus. Thammasat University instituted degree programmes in engineering, technologies, physical sciences, and medicine at its Rangsit Centre in the 1980s and 1990s. Although established only for the science and technology-related faculties, all bachelor's degrees have been taught here since 2006. All faculties (except the College of Innovation, the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Pridi Banomyong International College) are at Rangsit. The campus houses the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, an international academic institute attached to Thammasat which emphasizes engineering and technological research and education. International programmes in engineering, health sciences, and journalism are also taught at Rangsit Centre. The Thailand Science Park (National Research Centre) and the Asian Institute of Technology are also located here.

Faculties, Colleges, and Institutes

Thammasat University has 19 faculties, 7 colleges, and 7 institutes.

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law was one of the founding faculties of the university. It has its roots in the law school of the Ministry of Justice, instituted under the reign of King Chulalongkorn by Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns. Former deans of the faculty have included Phraya Nitisat Phaisan, Sanya Dharmasakti, and Preedee Kasemsup. The faculty has programmes up to the doctorate level, as well as several certificate programmes in business law and public law.

Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy

The Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy was established on 23 November 1938. It was the second oldest business school in Thailand after the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Chulalongkorn University, which was established earlier on the same year. It offers a broad range of programs, including business administration, logistics, international business, human resource management, accounting, finance, marketing, real estate management, and management information system, from diploma to doctoral degree. In addition to its traditional 4-year bachelor's degree, the faculty offers the first innovative integrated bachelor's and master's degree program in business and accounting (IBMP), which requires five years of study to complete both degrees. The faculty also offers Thailand's first international programme in business in which English is the language of instruction (BBA Program). The faculty also offers Thailand's first Global Executive MBA program in which English is the language of instruction (GEMBA program).

The faculty is recognised internationally. In 2005, a team of students from the Master's of Sciences Degree Programme in Marketing (MIM) of Thammasat Business School won, for the second time, the Global Moot Corp, a venue for business plan competition, held at the McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin.

The faculty is the second accounting and business education institution in South East Asia to Singapore which has received the Triple-Crown certification from three world-accredited institutions (EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA). With less than 1% of commercial and business administration accounting institutions from educational institutions around the world having been certified for all 3 accredited institutions.

The faculty is also known as Thammasat Business School (TBS).

Faculty of Political Science

The Faculty of Political Science at Thammasat University was established in 1949. Former deans include Direk Chaiyanam a member of the Khana Ratsadon (People's Party) and a former foreign minister. It offers undergraduate and graduate studies in three majors, politics and government, public administration, and international affairs. Most Thai governors, mayors, leaders, and activists graduated from this faculty.

Thai and International Programs

Thammasat University offers Thai and international programs for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in the fields of social sciences, arts and humanities, science, and technology.

Rankings

Thammasat University was awarded four QS Stars, meaning Thammasat University is highly international, demonstrating excellence in both research and teaching. The institution provides an excellent environment for students and faculty.

Thammasat University is indeed one of the top universities in Thailand in the TCAS (Thai University Central Admission System), and it is consistently grouped among the most competitive universities along with Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University.

QS World University Rankings (2027): Thammasat University is ranked 555th in the latest QS World University Rankings, which assessed over 1,500 universities from a global pool of more than 8,000 institutions, placing it as the 3rd highest-ranked university in Thailand.

QS Asia University Rankings (2026): Thammasat University was ranked 126th in the Asia region, placing it as the 4th highest-ranked university in Thailand.

QS Graduate Employability Rankings (2027): Thammasat University—Thailand’s second oldest university—was recognized for its strong graduate outcomes, ranking 2nd nationally in Employment Outcomes with a score of 85.4.

QS World University Ranking by Subject 2026

Notable people

Founder Pridi Banomyong was a senior statesman, former regent, and former prime minister. Sanya Dharmasakti, former prime minister and Privy Council member, was a rector of Thammasat. Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Thailand and the elder sister of Ananda Mahidol and Bhumibol Adulyadej, was the former head of the foreign language department at the Faculty of Liberal Arts. Puey Ungphakorn, former governor of the Bank of Thailand, was the dean of the Faculty of Economics, and rector of Thammasat University. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the former prime minister and leader of the Democrat Party. Ammar Siamwalla, former president of the Thailand Development Research Institute, and Jermsak Pinthong, former senator, are former lecturers at the Faculty of Economics.

Several Prime Ministers of Thailand attended Thammasat University, including Tanin Kraivixien, Chuan Leekpai, Samak Sundaravej, and Somchai Wongsawat, as well as many other ministers and Bank of Thailand governors.

Prominent faculty members

Former and current prominent faculty members include:

Princess Galyani Vadhana, a princess of Thailand and the elder sister of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), was head of the foreign language department at the Faculty of Liberal Arts

• Pridi Phanomyong, senior statesman, former regent and prime minister, leader of the Free Thai underground movement, and founder of the university
• Puey Ungpakorn, former governor of the Bank of Thailand, former rector, and former dean of the Faculty of Economics
• Sanya Dharmasakti, chief statesman, former prime minister, and former rector
• Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister, leader of the Democrat Party and former lecturer at the Faculty of Economics
• Theerayut Boonmee, former student activist, social critic and lecturer at the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology

Ammar Siamwalla, current member of the National Legislative Assembly, former president of the Thailand Development Research Institute, and former professor at the Faculty of Economics

Notable alumni

• Putthipong Assaratanakul, Thai actor, best known for his role as Teh in I Told Sunset About You
• Banyat Bantadtan, former deputy prime minister and former leader of the Democrat Party
• Rewat Buddhinan, pioneer in the Thai pop music industry and founder of the GMM Grammy
• Ranee Campen, actress; notable roles include Phorn Prom Onlaweng, Khun Chai Puttipat, Plerng Chimplee and Bubphe Sanniwat, Love Destiny TV series
• Aniporn Chalermburanawong, actress, singer, model, Miss Universe Thailand 2015 and top 10 at Miss Universe, 2015

Эх сурвалж: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)