ABSTRACT
Thai universities have been founded on the basis of bureaucratic rules – inspired by the heavy role of the Thai state in every facet of its well-being. By being state-led universities, Thai universities are required to follow bureaucratic norms and regulations, whereas university lecturers must be civil servants. Such composition has been viewed as problematic for the development of quality in Thai higher education because the norms and regulations are rigid and counterproductive. The past 20 years witnessed an intense transformation from state universities to be autonomous. There are currently 22 autonomous universities in Thailand that are undergoing intense readjustment in terms of its finances, human resources, governance, and management. This chapter exemplifies in detail two case studies of Thai higher education. University A is a comprehensive regional university, and University B is a comprehensive central university in Bangkok. It is argued that the transformation transcends beyond legal commitment, but it reflects the changing relationship between university and the state as well as changing job security of those involved.
