ABOUT Thaprajan
ABOUT
Thammasat University is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially inaugurated on 27 June 1934 at Tha Phra Chan on the Rattanakosin Island and on the Bank of the Chao Phraya River. The University’s founder, Prof. Dr. Pridi Banomyong, originally named Thammasat the “University of Ethics and Politics”, reflecting its primary mission to offer higher education in the disciplines of law and politics to the new citizenry and prepare Thai people for their new democratic system. Hoping to make higher learning accessible to all, Thammasat began as an open university with 7,094 students enrolled in its first academic year.
Since its initial inception, Thammasat University has evolved from an open university for law and politics to a prestigious international research university offering all levels of academic degrees and producing cutting edge research across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. The University has graduated more than 300,000 students since its founding who have gone on to make great contributions to the development and progress of Thailand and the world. Notable university alumni include former Prime Ministers, leading politicians and government figures, Bank of Thailand governors, supreme court judges, provincial governors, as well as experts in various fields.
Today, Thammasat University still follows its guiding philosophy to uphold academic excellence, services to society, promotion of arts and culture, social equality and social justice under the philosophies of constitutional monarchy and democracy. Thammasat students are not only well-rounded and well-adjusted members of their community, but are also conscious of their social responsibility as famously expressed by a former student,
"I love Thammasat because Thammasat teaches me to love the people."
map of the campus
HISTORY
Thammasat University (TU), apart from being the second oldest, is also one of Thailand’s best known and respected universities. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the University was initially named by Prof. Dr. Pridi Banomyong:‘The University of Ethics and Politics.' It began as an open university, with 7,094 students enrolled in its first academic year. The University’s main purpose upon its founding was “to teach students to love and cherish democracy.”
Thammasat Milestones
June 27, 1934 : The university was inaugurated under the name ‘Thammasat Lae Karn Muan,’ The University of Ethics and Politics (at Tha Phra Chan)
1952 : Name changed to Thammasat University
1960 : End of open-university era
1986 : Rangsit Campus officially opened for Science and Technology faculties and all first-year courses
1995 : Pattaya Campus established
1996 : Lampang Campus established
2002 : All first- and second-year courses moved from Tha Phra Chan to Rangsit Campus
2006 : First class of undergraduate students to study for all four years at Rangsit Campus
Important Figures
Professor Dr. Pridi Banomyong,
the former capital of Thailand .
In 1934 , Pridi, as Minister of Interior, founded the University of Ethics and Politics. He was also appointed its first rector. Pridi reflected his ideals in his speech for the University's opening:
"...A university is, figuratively, an oasis that quenches the thirst of those who are in pursuit of knowledge. The opportunity to acquire higher education rightly belongs to every citizen under the principle of freedom of education...Now that our country is governed by a democratic constitution, it is particularly essential to establish a university which will allow the people, and hence the public, to develop to their utmost capability. It will open up an opportunity for ordinary citizens to conveniently and freely acquire higher education for their own benefits and for development of our country...”
Indeed, Thammasart University has been a leading institution in helping to promote and protect democracy , social justice, and human rights in Thailand .
Professor Dr. Puey Ungphakorn
the tenth Rector of Thammasat University, initiated the University’s expansion into Science and Technology with the establishment of the Rangsit Center.
In 1986, several changes were brought to the University as the new learning center at Rangsit was officially open to new students. Since 2006, all incoming undergraduate students are to study there throughout their four-year program. Moreover, in order to serve the ever-expanding demands for higher education, the Pattaya Learning Center in Eastern Thailand and Lampang Center (Thammasat Lanna College) in Northern Thailand were established in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
Professor Sanya Dharmasakti
Professor Sanya Dharmasakti was a well respected figure in Thai society, known for his achievements and contributions as a jurist, an educator and a Buddhist. Through his education and career, he was a jurist and an educator who adhered strongly to the rule of law, but to a greater extent, he was a Buddhist who applied humility and compassion to his life and work, bringing about harmonious peace for society and fostering mutual understanding between religions.
As a devoted jurist, Sanya Dharmasakti emphasized respect for human rights as a way to social justice. As an educator, he launched academic innovations and provided guidance for Thailand 's leading university. As a devout Buddhist, he duly observed the precepts and integrated them into practice in his career and personal life. As Prime Minister, he exercised the rule of law to restore peace and harmony to his country.