Thailand To Become A Hub For International Education

[Emeritus]

Perhaps all the Thai language schools were also counted.

[siampolee]

Fear not good residents of Thailand.

In its infinite wisdom and in the name of progress and the exerting of international influence the government is about to announce that Thailand is going to be , " The Hub of International Fiasco's"

A title that's secure in every way and thus it will never be usurped by other sovereign states.

Edited September 29, 2011 by siampolee

[uptheos]

"Thailand is the only country in the world with the largest number of international schools."

and a degree from any of them does not amount to diddly squat outside of thailand

Doesn't mean diddly squat here either!

A Thai BA might get someone a filing clerks job.

[lannarebirth]

"Thailand is the only country in the world with the largest number of international schools."

and a degree from any of them does not amount to diddly squat outside of thailand

Doesn't mean diddly squat here either!

A Thai BA might get someone a filing clerks job.

Or a cashier at Lotus.

[chooka]

Oh well there is only one response to this news...................................hubba hubba..

I can just see it now, BILLIONS of students around the world linning up for a Thai education. The world HUB HUB HUB of International education. The future world leaders all being educated in Thailand. With I was educated in Thailand on thier resume's and companies killing each other for a Thai educated proffessional, I know all that there is to know about everything because my teacher told me so and I did not dare question what he said.

Oh please aren't there better areas in the world to get an education?

What is it with the HUB word in Thailand and why on earth do they think they are the absolute best in everything? How on earth can they possibly think they are the educational HUB of the world, 90% of the population can't even read and write. To be international in anything isn't the international language (English) a prerequisite?

[rametindallas]

the world "international" is used cheaply in Thailand, along with others like luxury, fast, exclusive ......

limousine

Hub

Shock Sale!

Edited September 29, 2011 by rametindallas

[softgeorge]

It is very good to know that the best education that money can buy is right here in Thailand and very cheap at that. Why waste your money sending your children to places like Oxford when the elite education system with the finest educators is all right here in the world education HUB called Thailand.

[somchai jones]

It is very good to know that the best education that money can buy is right here in Thailand and very cheap at that. Why waste your money sending your children to places like Oxford when the elite education system with the finest educators is all right here in the world education HUB called Thailand.

'Hub for international education' is an often used term these days.

Foreign students generate enormous revenue, both in tuition fees for the universities where they study and in spending for the countries in which the universities are based.

Countries such as UK, US and Australia have been reaping the benefits of foreign student revenue for years.

ASEAN countries such as Malaysia and Singapore have been successful as regional 'hubs' for several years already.

A number of Thai uniattracts foreign students already from surrounding countries and when the phrase a 'hub of international education' is used as a target for Thailand, realistically it is really referring to 'becoming a country that can attract an increasing amount of foreign students from neighbouring countries'.

As for the international schools, the foreign students that study there are almost invariably children of ex pats or foreigners working in Thailand.

I've visited some good ones in and around Bangkok. Harrow was particularly impressive.

[somchai jones]

I looked on the ncyclopedia for top educational establishments and this is what I came up with:

The Pattaya School of Adult Entertainment.

The Ladies of E S A N Academy for the studies of Financial Wealth, its origins and and how to re distribute it.Advancesd scholars could see the results in hours!

Bangkok 7-11 University.

Chon Buri College of advanced Massage Techniques.

The Phuket University of Life and social skills. Meet friends you did not know you had and spend a small fortune.

The Sukumvit Escort School for people new to the Kingdom.

Perhaps widening your group of Thai friends or adding a bit of variety to the circles in which you move may be a good idea.

[uptheos]

I can just see it now, BILLIONS of students around the world linning up for a Thai education.

Why not? Well, at least for university education.

You don't need to know anything to get into a Thai uni and you certainly won't know anything when you come out, but you will have the paper and an official transcript, though more credible degrees and transcripts are readily obtainable at Kao Sarn Road.

[animatic]

"Thailand is the only country in the world with the largest number of international schools."

and a degree from any of them does not amount to diddly squat outside of thailand

This sentence alone shows clearly why

ThaIland can not, in this lifetime, become an international teaching hub.

"Thailand is the only country in the world with the largest number of international schools."

[DavidOxon]

Still laughing . . . !

[Ijustwannateach]

If we can take a momentary break for the laughter, I'd like to point out a few small things:

1. Thailand (from last year's stats; not sure yet about this year) was FIFTH in the world in the International Math Olympiad (against about 100 or so other countries including native English-speaking countries, Europe, richer places in Asia, etc.).

2. Thailand (from this year's stats) has SECOND place in the International Physics Olympiad.

3. When one visits stockholders meetings of Thai companies- where most of the members present are Thai- and sees credentials for board members, etc., they all seem to have gone to VERY good universities outside Thailand after graduating from high schools.

4. Every year I and other teachers I know manage to send a few students to some of the best schools in the world.

As I've pointed out on other similar threads, you can't generalise about Thai schools (or virtually anything else here) without being wrong. Yes, the bulk of the schools leave much to be desired and the system is archaic; however, *many* of the schools are achieving at very respectable levels internationally, even beating first-world countries.

I would argue with the premise of the main thread that such schools as ARE so successful are too oversubscribed for them to work well as a draw for trade dollars, but that's not arguing with the quality of some of the schools.

[somchai jones]

I can just see it now, BILLIONS of students around the world linning up for a Thai education.

Why not? Well, at least for university education.

You don't need to know anything to get into a Thai uni and you certainly won't know anything when you come out, but you will have the paper and an official transcript, though more credible degrees and transcripts are readily obtainable at Kao Sarn Road.

Degrees for sale been available from certain unscrupulous United States 'universities' for years....

Edited September 30, 2011 by somchai jones

[globalmenace]

If we can take a momentary break for the laughter, I'd like to point out a few small things:

1. Thailand (from last year's stats; not sure yet about this year) was FIFTH in the world in the International Math Olympiad (against about 100 or so other countries including native English-speaking countries, Europe, richer places in Asia, etc.).

2. Thailand (from this year's stats) has SECOND place in the International Physics Olympiad.

3. When one visits stockholders meetings of Thai companies- where most of the members present are Thai- and sees credentials for board members, etc., they all seem to have gone to VERY good universities outside Thailand after graduating from high schools.

4. Every year I and other teachers I know manage to send a few students to some of the best schools in the world.

As I've pointed out on other similar threads, you can't generalise about Thai schools (or virtually anything else here) without being wrong. Yes, the bulk of the schools leave much to be desired and the system is archaic; however, *many* of the schools are achieving at very respectable levels internationally, even beating first-world countries.

I would argue with the premise of the main thread that such schools as ARE so successful are too oversubscribed for them to work well as a draw for trade dollars, but that's not arguing with the quality of some of the schools.

For the sake of agrument and balance, I'll concede 1 & 2. But I will point out that nearly any of the non-anecdotal rankings always place Thailand as a very poor candidate as an education hub.

For 3, also true. Any wealthy Thai person that I have ever queried were educated in the West. My MD was educated in the US, and both of his boys are going to college in Chicago.

For 4, of course. I suspect, but do not know, that many elite secondary schools in Thailand can obtain seats at good universities for their students.

But come on. From primary through secondary, Thai schools are GENERALLY pathetic. Hubba Hubba indeed...

[mania2301]

:jap: ahhhh....and there we have it, another HUB amongst so many other HUBS that the government has announced!!! when will Thailand stop with the crazed for HUBS??

[GreenSnapper]

If we can take a momentary break for the laughter, I'd like to point out a few small things:

1. Thailand (from last year's stats; not sure yet about this year) was FIFTH in the world in the International Math Olympiad (against about 100 or so other countries including native English-speaking countries, Europe, richer places in Asia, etc.).

2. Thailand (from this year's stats) has SECOND place in the International Physics Olympiad.

That fact, that a country of 60 Million people has a few individuals which can achieve extraordinary things doesn't proof anything.

The sad education level here is not about a few people, but the general population.

[GreenSnapper]

I looked on the ncyclopedia for top educational establishments and this is what I came up with:

The Pattaya School of Adult Entertainment.

The Ladies of E S A N Academy for the studies of Financial Wealth, its origins and and how to re distribute it.Advancesd scholars could see the results in hours!

Bangkok 7-11 University.

Chon Buri College of advanced Massage Techniques.

The Phuket University of Life and social skills. Meet friends you did not know you had and spend a small fortune.

The Sukumvit Escort School for people new to the Kingdom.

You forgot the world famous "Khao San University" which also delivers driving licenses!

And the Chula PH. D. about "How do I restart my iPhone" which is now on the next Nobel Prize recommendation list!

[uptheos]

If we can take a momentary break for the laughter, I'd like to point out a few small things:

1. Thailand (from last year's stats; not sure yet about this year) was FIFTH in the world in the International Math Olympiad (against about 100 or so other countries including native English-speaking countries, Europe, richer places in Asia, etc.).

2. Thailand (from this year's stats) has SECOND place in the International Physics Olympiad.

That fact, that a country of 60 Million people has a few individuals which can achieve extraordinary things doesn't proof anything.

The sad education level here is not about a few people, but the general population.

Exactly, geniuses pop up every now and then in different countries, for no apparent genetic reason or Chula paper. Sixty million is a lot of people and it's not unexpected out of that amount that, a few geniuses will appear. No doubt these people will be snapped up by the west, get good jobs with a high standard of living and the only benefit to Thailand will be when they visit family to spend their dollars, pounds or euros.

[jackr]

Unfortunately one of the biggest ball aches for students at international schools is the 90 day reporting which they need to do with their parents, missing a day off school etc. etc. If Thailand is serious it MUST overhaul is visa system which is dated, antiquated and just plain shit

The 90-day reporting is daft and pedantic, for sure, but no-one needs to take a day off school; they can post.

[animatic]

Thailand:

Hub of attempted hubs.

[uptheos]

Unfortunately one of the biggest ball aches for students at international schools is the 90 day reporting which they need to do with their parents, missing a day off school etc. etc. If Thailand is serious it MUST overhaul is visa system which is dated, antiquated and just plain shit

The 90-day reporting is daft and pedantic, for sure, but no-one needs to take a day off school; they can post.

[wintermute]

Exactly, geniuses pop up every now and then in different countries, for no apparent genetic reason or Chula paper. Sixty million is a lot of people and it's not unexpected out of that amount that, a few geniuses will appear. No doubt these people will be snapped up by the west, get good jobs with a high standard of living and the only benefit to Thailand will be when they visit family to spend their dollars, pounds or euros.

Singapore has a scholarship system set up that rewards poorer SEA students who are high performers. If they are true geniuses they get recognized early and are fast tracked into the good schools. Then when they graduate and still maintain top honors they are eligible for Singapore citizenship down the road. Singapore has been doing this sort of thing for years and with Malaysia and Indonesia's xenophobia they have been poaching the best minds out of those countries for awhile now. I expect the smartest but socially underprivileged in Thailand similarly leave to the developed asian neighbors like Hong Kong or Singapore.

[lannarebirth]

If we can take a momentary break for the laughter, I'd like to point out a few small things:

1. Thailand (from last year's stats; not sure yet about this year) was FIFTH in the world in the International Math Olympiad (against about 100 or so other countries including native English-speaking countries, Europe, richer places in Asia, etc.).

2. Thailand (from this year's stats) has SECOND place in the International Physics Olympiad.

That fact, that a country of 60 Million people has a few individuals which can achieve extraordinary things doesn't proof anything.

The sad education level here is not about a few people, but the general population.

Exactly, geniuses pop up every now and then in different countries, for no apparent genetic reason or Chula paper. Sixty million is a lot of people and it's not unexpected out of that amount that, a few geniuses will appear. No doubt these people will be snapped up by the west, get good jobs with a high standard of living and the only benefit to Thailand will be when they visit family to spend their dollars, pounds or euros.

I know several Thai scientists. They are extremely knowledgable but sadly no one really wants to use the extensive knowledge they possess. What allowed them to excell here in Thailand was their choice of studying the sciences. Thai culture can't fuc_k up a math problem yet, but I imagine they've got someone somewhere working on that..

[wintermute]

If we can take a momentary break for the laughter, I'd like to point out a few small things:

1. Thailand (from last year's stats; not sure yet about this year) was FIFTH in the world in the International Math Olympiad (against about 100 or so other countries including native English-speaking countries, Europe, richer places in Asia, etc.).

2. Thailand (from this year's stats) has SECOND place in the International Physics Olympiad.

So?

Junior science Olympiads and such only shows they are good at winning competitions. Show me where these kids are using their knowledge of science and math to do anything beyond being coached to win competitions. Real innovation and the ingenuity to transform that into corporate R&D or scientific breakthroughs has thus far eluded Thailand. I know people like to trot out robotics competitions and the like but show me where that has actually transformed into world class research or innovation.

Where is Thailand's version of the jet propulsion lab or EU space research institute?

As I've pointed out on other similar threads, you can't generalise about Thai schools (or virtually anything else here) without being wrong. Yes, the bulk of the schools leave much to be desired and the system is archaic; however, *many* of the schools are achieving at very respectable levels internationally, even beating first-world countries.

Ok, name some Thai schools that are on par with Harvard, MIT, Cal Tech, Oxford, etc.. Where are the nobel laureates? The researchers in science and medicine?

Where are the global Thai brands? ..is there a Thai apple ? Hell, is there even a Thai brand comparable to Adidas or Nike?

Edited October 1, 2011 by wintermute

[Ijustwannateach]

^What most of them do, if they can afford it, is leave Thailand and work elsewhere, unless they have to take over family businesses and so forth in Thailand- I haven't made any claims about Thailand's ability to further nurture the talent (Lannarebirth's comment is apt).

I'm also not making any general claims for the universities, though some of them have individual programs that are nothing to sneeze at- if you (re?)read carefully, you will note that I am referring to secondary education.

Not claiming any general thing about Thailand- either that things are all great or that things are all bad. Just adding balance where it seems to be needed. Seeing in only black or only white isn't realistic in most cases. Not interested in your off-topic issues, either.

[ajarnmark]

Thailand's education system is not the best one... when having all those farangs who get there degree from Khao San Road, what do u expect...

Thais r very similar to Aussies... in a way that both of them think that there education system is the best in the world...

Let me give u an analogy... Australian wine is OK to drink but not the world class... so is the education system... :jap:

[HaleySabai]

Education..... Thailand...... Hub..................

[Bagwan]

Education..... Thailand...... Hub..................

Exactly. The only thing that I am aware of spinning around are thoughts of improbable fantasies.

[phetaroi]

And yet another hub? Have they no shame?

What's wrong with you man? Don't you know that Thailand is the hub of hubs?

In fairness to the OP, at least through the 90s, when I would go to the international school job fair in Cambridge, Massachusetts (I was seeking an admin position), ISB was one of the top 5 international schools in the world in terms of number of applicants...for a variety of reasons.

Edited October 14, 2011 by phetaroi