Pridi Banomyong International College (PBIC) is located on the right bank of the Chao Phraya River at the Tha Phra Chan Campus of Thammasat University in the heart of Bangkok.
Pridi Banomyong International College was established in 2008 as part of Thammasat University’s commitment to the internationalization of the university. The college was designed as an Area Studies institution offering interdisciplinary Asian Studies programs taught in English. The college was also intended for collaboration between Thammasat University and the Area Studies departments of leading universities overseas.
Pridi Banomyong International College is named after Dr. Pridi Banomyong, former Thai prime minster, Statesman, and founder of Thammasat University.
Born in 1900 in Ayutthaya, Pridi Banomyong became one of the nation’s youngest barristers, graduating from the Thai Royal College of Law, in 1919, at the age of nineteen. In 1920, he won a scholarship to study in France, where he graduated from the University of Caen with a master’s degree, and completed his doctorate from the University of Paris in 1927. He was instrumental in guiding the country towards its first constitution under King Prajadhipok in 1932. He served as Interior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance Minister, Regent to His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol, and Prime Minister. He established Thammasat University in 1934 as the University of Moral and Political Sciences with a focus on law, politics and economics.
In 1999, UNESCO named Dr. Pridi Banomyong as one of the world’s great personalities. In recognition of Dr. Pridi Banomyong’s outstanding contribution to his country in establishing Thammasat University it is appropriate that Thammasat University’s International College should be named after him.
Since the late twentieth century, the world’s center of gravity has been shifting from North America and Western Europe back to Asia. East, South and Southeast Asia have become the world’s fastest growing economies and with their respective prodigious and prosperous populations some of the world’s largest markets and principle drivers of innovation. Dependent and unequal interactions between Asia and the West are now increasingly being replaced by significant interactions between Asian countries.
It is becoming more and more necessary to provide new generations with the “interdisciplinary” skills to understand these changes and what they mean for the future of the globe. We therefore aim to give our graduates a comprehensive knowledge of the social sciences and the humanities, of the social, economic, political, lingusitic and cultural conditions of Asia’s most important countries and regions, China, India, Thailand and Southeast Asia. In doing so, we equip our students with advanced skills in the world’s global languages: English, Chinese and Hindi to form a firm basis for intercultural understanding and international cooperation.
Pridi Banomyong International College seeks to ensure the production of premium quality graduates with a challenging range of courses taught by dedicated and accomplshed lecturers, that empowers the student, encourages independent and innovative thinking and broadens horizons. With regular revisions we seek to ensure our curriculum is attuned to the demands of the employment market and the world of work. With advanced skills in English and/or Chinese and Thai, critical analystical skills and a broad education, our graduates are some of the most exciting and adept potential employees in Asia.
“ASEAN’s Leading Institute and Center of Knowledge Development in Area Studies for the People of all Nations”
International
Pridi Index in Social Literacy
Established scholar + New scholar Co-authored Paper College Initiative
PBIC Academy in Area Studies
University-wide
English-language Textbooks for TU 10 x Foundation Year Courses
Thammasat University Online Courses
TU Area Studies Platform and Coordinator
Departmental
Create outstanding global citizens
Provide optimal assistance for research at PBIC
Create an efficient and pleasant workplace
