30,000 places left empty as student applicants dwindle

A total of 81,230 students have applied for placements in 78 universities this year, leaving about 30,000 places vacant, according to the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT).

The CUPT announced this year’s student intake based on the results of the university central admission system yesterday, saying the shortfall had been expected. There are nearly 110,000 seats available at universities nationwide.

Council chairman Suchatvee Suwansawat described the number of applicants as “rather low” and cited three factors.

The first reason has to do with the declining birthrate, he said, adding the drop in demand is taking more of a toll on privately-owned universities than on those that are state-run.

Second, Mr Suchatvee said some people had applied directly to individual universities and won placements there before the central admission exam took place. They were accepted through various study progammes, including those offered to academically outstanding students from the provinces.

Third, organisers of the central admission system said they made sure to reserve enough places to make room for those applicants who turn down offers of places won via the direct admission system, and who opt for places in classes through the central system instead.

In the central system, applicants submit their exam results in various subjects to the examiner, who is responsible for deciding whether their scores qualify them for a place at any of their preferred universities.

Mr Suchatvee, also rector of the King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, said no more submissions are being accepted as the process has been completed. The council will announce the applicants shortlisted for interviews and physical checkups on June 15.