HIGHLIGHTS
- Thammasat University provides expert policy advice to government bodies at the national, regional, and local levels, reflecting its strong public service role.
- At the national level, Faculty members are appointed as advisors and committee members to major institutions such as the Senate, Prime Minister’s Office, Commission on Higher Education, and the National Human Rights Commission.
- At the regional level, Thammasat contributes to strategic economic development, with experts serving on EEC Policy Committees and leading Net Zero industrial projects in partnership with the government.
- At the local level, the university provides research-based policy guidance and training to Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs), including organizing a national seminar on strengthening Thailand’s primary healthcare system.
Thammasat University is actively fulfilling its public service mission, with faculty members consistently appointed to provide expert counsel to government bodies. These appointments span all levels of governance—national, regional, and local—directly shaping public policy and national development.
The following selected appointments highlight the university’s role in providing specific, expert advice to the government:
1. National Level Advisory
Thammasat’s expertise is integral to the country’s core governing institutions, including the executive, legislative, and independent branches.
Governmental Body: National Human Rights Commission of Thailand Eight faculty members from the Faculty of Law have been registered as “Eminent Persons” to assist the Commission’s work:
- Prof. Dr. Surasak Likhitwatthanakul
- Prof. Dr. Prasit Pivavatnapanith
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panthip Kanjanajittra Saisunthorn
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pokpong Srisanit
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Krittakorn Vongvuttikun
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanapat Chatinakrob
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Ronnakorn Boonmee
Governmental Body: Prime Minister’s Office
- Appointee: Asst. Prof. Dr. Supachai Srisuchart (Faculty of Economics)
- Appointee: Asst. Prof. Dr. Duangmanee Laovakul (Faculty of Economics)
- Role: Appointed as “Eminent Persons in Economics” to the National Committee for Decentralization to Local Government Organizations.
Governmental Body: The Senate (Legislative Branch)
- Appointee: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surat Teerakapibal (Thammasat Business School)
- Role: Appointed Advisor to the Senate Committee on Labor’s Subcommittee on Job Placement and Skill Development.
Governmental Body: The House of Representatives (Legislative Branch)
- Appointee: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thatchalerm Suthhipongpracha (College of Interdisciplinary Studies)
- Role: Appointed Advisor to the Subcommittee studying the transfer of sub-district health hospitals to provincial organizations.
Governmental Body: Royal Thai Army
- Appointee: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dulayapak Preecharush (Faculty of Liberal Arts)
- Role: Appointed Advisor to the Royal Thai Army on Myanmar Affairs.
2. Regional Level Advisory
Thammasat is a key strategic partner in developing Thailand’s flagship economic zones, most notably the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Governmental Body: EEC Policy Committee (Prime Minister’s Office)
- Appointee: Prof. Dr. Ruthir Penumyoung (Thammasat Business School)
- Role: Member of the EEC Policy Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee for the EEC Business Center and Smart City development.
- Appointee: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sathaporn Opasanon (Thammasat Business School)
- Role: Member of the EEC Policy Committee and Subcommittee member for the EEC Business Center and Smart City development.
Governmental Body: EEC Office (EECO)
- Appointee: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harnpon Phungrassamee (Center of Excellence in Eco-Energy)
- Role: Serves as Project Head for a joint initiative with EECO and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) to drive industries in the EEC towards Net Zero goals.
3. Local Level Advisory
The university’s engagement extends directly to local and provincial government bodies, providing research-based policy guidance and fostering innovation.
Governmental Body: Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs) & Ministry of Public Health
- Activity: The College of Interdisciplinary Studies, in partnership with the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) and NIDA, hosted a national academic seminar on “Building a Stable Prototype for the Primary Healthcare System Transferred to Provincial Administrative Organizations.”
- Role (Providing Expert Advice): It provided direct knowledge transfer, policy models, and practical training to government stakeholders, including representatives from Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs), Provincial Public Health Offices, and Ministry of Public Health hospitals nationwide. The training included policy guidance on financial regulations, Continuity of Care (COC) network management, and the use of Data Dashboards for government executives.
Governmental Body: Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) & Municipalities
- Appointees: The Dean and faculty members from the Faculty of Science and Technology (including Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuchjarin Intalla, Asst. Prof. Dr. Thapana Boonyachoo, and Dr. Pakaporn Saophan).
- Role: Actively collaborating with local government leaders, including the President of the Pathum Thani PAO and the Mayors of Rangsit, Khlong Luang, and Tha Khlong, to receive and implement policies for developing the Pathum Thani High-Value Innovation Zone.
These appointments are a clear demonstration of Thammasat University’s role as a trusted partner to the government. By providing specific, expert advice, the university’s faculty are actively contributing to policy solutions and development strategies at every level of the nation.
