Financing of Thai higher education : disparities in the government financing of public and private universities

Abstract

With limited government resources, the issues of financing higher education pose significant challenges to all countries, including Thailand. With widening participation in higher education in the country, the government must ensure both equity of access and equity of education outcomes. Effic ient utilization of available resources is important to enhance Thailand's competitive position in the global market. Nonetheless, government financing is currently the main source of higher education financing. The current systems of higher education financing in Thailand are neither targeted for equitable access nor equitable quality of education. Disparities are evident in the government financing of public and private universities. In addition, disparities in government financing exist among different types of public higher education institutions.