Chinese students are flocking to Thai universities, drawn by cheaper fees and friendlier visa rules
- Thai universities offer more affordable overseas study for Chinese students, compared with more popular destinations like Australia, the US and Britain
- Many researchers believe this trend will continue as China looks to expand its influence across Southeast Asia and beyond
Chinese national Cherry He Ting rattles off in fluent Thai as she presents her masters thesis ahead of graduating from a Bangkok university, where she has studied for the past three-and-a-half years.
The 28-year-old history student is among thousands of Chinese who join Thai universities every year, according to Thai government data, which shows their annual enrolment numbers have doubled since 2012.
After enduring years of declining enrolment by Thai students, the institutions are scrambling to meet this recent surge in demand as Chinese students look for alternatives to Western schools.
Chada Triamvithaya, an academic at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang who has been researching Chinese migration patterns in Thailand, said universities currently make twice the amount in tuition fees from Chinese students as they do from locals.
“Apart from private universities, state universities, even one for Buddhist monks, are now creating courses aimed at attracting Chinese students. It is all about the money,” she said.
