Adult Education in Thailand.

Overview & Synopsis

To develop background for examining the past, present, and future of adult education in Thailand, the author initially sketches an economic and geographic profile of the country. In the second of five sections, Thailand's adult education movement is traced by examining the influences of kings, the Buddhist religion, various governments, and the citizens. There is an emphasis on the history of the development of literacy and vocational education programs. The author also focuses on the historic role of the Adult Education Division (formed in 1940 as a part of the Ministry of Education) in setting educational objectives. Finally the 1973 revolution and the educational reforms which followed are discussed. Section 3 reviews the Adult Education Division's current sponsorship of three program types: general education, skill training, and general knowledge/information. Section 4 examines the development of a non-formal education program by the Adult Education Division. Approved in 1973 by the World Bank, the program is described as multipurpose and involves three network tiers in (1) five regional, research, development and training centers, (2) provincial and some district lifelong education centers, and (3) rural adult centers. The final section summarizes twelve points of interest to American adult educators and includes fourteen discussion questions. (CSS)