Thailand has increasingly become a popular destination for international students, particularly Chinese students, over the past few years. This phenomenon is not coincidental; it stems from several positive factors that have attracted many Chinese individuals to pursue their education in Thai institutions.

A Trend of Popularity Not Based on Luck
The trend of rising numbers of Chinese students in Thai higher education institutions has been consistently growing, especially over the past decade. Although there was a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, growth resumed once the situation stabilized. The main factors driving this trend include global changes, economic crises, and rising education costs in Western countries, prompting Chinese parents to encourage their children to consider ASEAN as a new educational destination, particularly Thailand, which has seen a significant increase in Chinese students.

Since 2019, over 90,000 Chinese students have chosen to study in ASEAN, with the majority concentrated in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Thailand ranks among the top 10 countries that Chinese families are interested in for their children's education.

According to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, in the 2022 academic year, there were a total of 34,202 international students, with more than half being Chinese, totaling 21,419 students. This marks a 130% increase from 9,329 students in the 2012 academic year. This increase is attributed to an open education system, lower tuition fees, and uncomplicated visa processes, along with a relatively relaxed lifestyle in Thailand.

As of the 2024 academic year, the first semester saw a total of 53,006 international students enrolled in higher education, an increase from 2022. Notably, in the past 2-3 years, there has been a clear rise in Chinese students attending Thai universities, with 28,052 students from China, followed by Myanmar (12,292), Cambodia (1,871), Laos (1,097), and then Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India (516).

Factors Behind the Popularity of Studying in Thailand Among Chinese Students
A closer look reveals several key drivers for Chinese students choosing to study in Thailand:

1. **Reasonable Costs**: Compared to Western countries or even some major cities in China, the cost of living and tuition fees in Thailand are significantly more accessible, making education in Thailand an attractive option for many Chinese families.

Factors contributing to ASEAN becoming an important choice include tangible costs, such as the average tuition for a master's degree in Thailand, which is around 150,000 yuan (approximately 700,000 baht) for two years, significantly lower than the average costs in the U.S., which range from 200,000 to 350,000 yuan per year.

2. **Recognized Quality of Education**: Many universities in Thailand have developed internationally recognized curricula and teaching standards, collaborating with foreign educational institutions, and some fields of study are regionally renowned.

3. **Geographical and Cultural Proximity**: Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, which is geographically and culturally closer to China than other continents, making adaptation and living in Thailand easier. Most Chinese students studying in Thailand come from Yunnan, Sichuan, Anhui, and Guangxi provinces in southern China, followed by Shandong, Guangdong, and Beijing, which are not far from Thailand and easily accessible.

4. **Opportunities to Learn a Third Language**: In addition to studying in English, Chinese students also have the opportunity to learn Thai, a language that holds significance in the region and can enhance future job prospects.

5. **Friendly and Safe Environment**: Thailand is known for the friendliness of its people and is considered a relatively safe country for international students.

6. **Policies Promoting Education for Foreigners**: The Thai government and many educational institutions have policies and programs that support international students, including Chinese students, with over 102 institutions across the country now accepting Chinese students, more than 50 of which are located in Bangkok and its vicinity.

7. **Diversity of Programs**: Thai higher education institutions offer a wide range of programs that cater to the diverse needs of students. Chinese students show interest in studying at all levels, from bachelor's to doctoral degrees, with bachelor's degrees being the most popular.

Popular programs among Chinese students include business administration, trade, management, international business, marketing, and accounting.

Additionally, some students engage in business activities, importing goods from China to sell in Thailand. While they purchase Thai products, they are still accustomed to using Chinese products, which are more readily available in Chinese supermarkets.

Given these positive factors, it is not surprising that both Thai and Chinese investors are developing educational systems to accommodate Chinese students, including investing in educational institutions and related businesses, such as real estate for housing or retail stores, to support the growing number of Chinese students in Thailand.

References
https://www.mhesi.go.th/
https://thai.cri.cn/2023/10/06/VIDEWW6awcBFFlhgwhvUaYOi231006.shtml
https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/343985
https://nakornchiangrainews.com/chinese-students-study-thailand-asean-education/#google_vignette
https://www.thairath.co.th/money/economics/thai_economics/2838979