What is Thai Education

Compulsory Education (CE) in Thailand has been implemented since 1921 as part of a broader global move towards universal education. Yet while most nations have implemented CE, each nation may not always account for marginalized groups that exist on the periphery of mainstream society. A study by Oh and Van Der Stouwe (2008) suggests that Karen refugees from Burma may be such a marginal community, excluded from educational and other opportunities within Thailand. If Karen refugee children entered mainstream schooling, they may become possible candidates for citizenship in Thai society. This chapter asks what future inclusion might look like, and explores the benefits and drawbacks of such inclusion. Using scholarly works by prestigious authors on Karen education, refugee and migrant education and theories on citizenship and education, this chapter argues that Thai education may aid refugees in gaining access to new forms of Thai identity; however, these new identities may often stand in tension with Karen forms of personhood.