Title: The ASEAN Economic Community 2015: a case study of challenges in Thai higher education

Authors: Paipan Thanalerdsopit; Komsak Meksamoot; Nopasit Chakpitak; Pitipong Yodmongkol; Anchalee Jengjarern

Addresses: Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 HuayKaew Rd., T.Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 HuayKaew Rd., T.Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 HuayKaew Rd., T.Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 HuayKaew Rd., T.Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand ' Department of Knowledge Management, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, 239 HuayKaew Rd., T.Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of Thailand's higher education system with regard to the challenges and opportunities presented by the forthcoming AEC 2015. The research is based on three main perspectives; policy, management and practice. A case study analysis of one faculty's preparedness for the AEC 2015. The paper concludes by showing that Thailand is partially prepared for the AEC 2015, but suggests mobility presented by the free flow of students, staff and finance throughout the ASEAN region is a significant force for educational change and requires an alignment of policy, management and practice.

Keywords: ASEAN Economic Community; AEC 2015; internationalisation; higher education; Thailand; educational policy; management in education; educational practice; case studies; student mobility; staff mobility; finance; educational change.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2014.064952

International Journal of Management in Education, 2014 Vol.8 No.4, pp.321 - 342

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article