ABSTRACT
English language teaching (ELT) in Thailand has long been a national issue. This chapter explores the development of tertiary English education in the Thai context, where globalization, the country's economic downturn in 1997, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Community (ASEAN Community) play significant roles. It gives an overview of the influences of these three key factors, followed by Thailand's 1999 National Education Act (NEA), English Education Reform, ASEAN Community in 2015, challenges of English teaching and learning, tertiary English curriculum in 2016, students' expectations, and conclusions. Based on this English educational reform and preparation for the changes in education and the real world, ELT in Thailand, especially courses at the tertiary level, are serving as springboards to change. In all, globalization, the NEA, educational reform, and the imminent arrival of the ASEAN community in 2015 have had a sudden and tremendous impact on education in Thailand.
