Studying in Thailand is a new choice for Indonesian students, what is the reason?

Illustration studying in Thailand. (Ist)

JAKARTA - The interest of the Indonesian people to pursue education abroad continues to show a positive trend. In addition to popular destination countries, Thailand is now increasingly being seen as one of the educational destinations in the Southeast Asian region thanks to various international programs, multicultural learning environments, and geographical proximity to Indonesia.

Based on data from the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) World, by 2025 there are 1,155 Indonesian students studying in Thailand.

This figure reflects the increasing interest of Indonesian students in educational opportunities in neighboring countries and also shows the increasingly close educational relationship between the two countries.

This development is also supported by the efforts of various educational institutions in Thailand which are increasingly active in building international cooperation, including with universities and educational institutions in Indonesia.

The collaboration is expected to open more opportunities for students to participate in international programs, student exchanges, and academic development across countries.

One of the efforts made to strengthen the educational relationship is the holding of the Business Delegation for Education Services in Indonesia 2026 on 18-20 August 2026.

Even though it presents an agenda of inter-institutional collaboration in education, this activity also provides a session that the general public can attend to obtain information regarding studies in Thailand.

Mrs. Hataichanok Sivara, Director of the Thai Trade Center Jakarta under the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, said that this initiative reflects Thailand's commitment to expanding regional cooperation, not only in the fields of trade and investment, but also through human resource development.

"Education is a long-term investment that can strengthen relationships between communities and open up more opportunities for collaboration in the future. We hope that the Business Delegation for Education Services in Indonesia 2026 can be a bridge that connects more Indonesian talents with quality and international standard Thai educational institutions," he said.

During the three days of implementation, activities will be divided into several agendas. The first day is focused on meetings between educational institutions to build cooperation.

Meanwhile, the second day featured an open session that could be attended by prospective students, parents, and the public who wanted to know more about the higher education system in Thailand. On the last day, the agenda continued with a visit to universities in Indonesia as part of efforts to strengthen academic networks.

A total of 15 universities and educational institutions from Thailand are scheduled to participate in this activity. The campuses offer a variety of fields of study, ranging from engineering, science, technology, health, education, tourism, to business, with a number of international programs aimed at students from various countries.

Through a session that is open to the public, visitors can obtain information regarding the choice of academic programs, international student admission requirements, to opportunities to participate in student exchange programs.

In addition, there is also a direct consultation session with university representatives so that prospective students can understand the registration process and academic life in Thailand in more depth.

The series of events will also be complemented by talk shows featuring inspirational speakers to share experiences on international education, study abroad, and career development through learning experiences in a global environment.

The presence of this kind of forum is one of the opportunities for students and parents to obtain information directly from educational institutions, as well as provide an overview of the various study options available in the ASEAN region.

In the midst of increasing needs for global competence, access to international educational information is considered to be one of the important factors in helping prospective students determine the educational path that suits their interests and goals.

"Thailand sees Indonesia not only as a strategic market, but also as an important partner in building a more connected education ecosystem in the ASEAN region. We believe that strong relationships are built through direct interaction, knowledge exchange, and long-term collaboration that benefits both countries," concluded Mrs. Hataichanok Sivara.