A Comparative Study of Education Development Policy between Thailand and China

Abstract

The objectives of this research are 1) to study the policy on educational development in Thailand and China during the past 10 years 2) to study the similarities and differences between Thailand and China’s policy on educational development. This research is based on qualitative research approach including documentary study, focus group, in-depth interviews of 18 key-informant. The research result shows that Thailand and China’s education are influenced by Eastern culture, especially from Confucius philosophy. Therefore no matter at individual, family or national level, Thailand and China both place a lot of importance on education. However, due to population, educational resources, and differences in values, China’s emphasis on importance of education is higher. Chinese families will do whatever it is possible for their descendant’s education, and their children are highly determined and hardworking to improve their way of life. Chinese students focus on studying well, meanwhile, Thai places importance on both knowledge and morality. Educational management in Thailand and in China are bureaucratic with centralized authority and linear hierarchy. However, Thailand allows every sector of community to participate more, China’s educational management, on the other hand, has higher efficiency, unity and continuity, but lacks participation of the people in society. China’s education emphasizes more on specific expertise in certain fields, whereas Thailand’s emphasizes more on well-rounded knowledge than to be an expert in particular fields. During the past 10 years, Thailand has created many talents with international vision and perspectives in fields of management, social studies and humanities. By contrast, China has created experts in the fields of mathematics, physics and chemistry. These experts have become crucial human resource to develop its economy, society and a number of innovations.