About BIR and Thammasat

Welcome to BIR#

Welcome to the Bachelor of Political Science Programme in Politics and International Relations (BIR), Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University.

Managing your time between study, social life, sports and other activities is a key part of the first year.

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from BIR's professors and from guest lecturers from various fields and professions. The programme includes extracurricular activities such as a field trip and an internship abroad.

Faculty staff support students throughout their studies, but your progress depends mainly on your own effort. Visit the office for further information or assistance.

About Thammasat University#

Thammasat University was inaugurated on 27 June 1934. Its original name, given by Professor Dr Pridi Banomyong, was the University of Moral and Political Sciences. Professor Dr Banomyong wished to establish a university to educate the Thai people about the concept of democracy, which had been introduced to the nation two years before the University was founded.

The philosophy of the University is marked by a speech its founder, Pridi, delivered:

"A university is, figuratively, an oasis that quenches the thirst of those who are in pursuit of knowledge. The opportunity to acquire higher education rightly belong to every citizen under the principle of freedom of education."

The coup d'état on 8 November 1947 had a dramatic effect on the University. Soon after, the University's name was changed to Thammasat University (TU), the open university system was abandoned, and four new degree programmes were introduced: Law, Political Science, Economics, and Commerce and Accountancy. The Thammasat University Act of 2495 B.E. mandated that each programme offer its own degree.

Thammasat University has continued to play a key role in the changes and development of democracy and politics in Thailand. In 2011, Thammasat's goal of guiding students to the highest standards of ethics and community service remained true, as staff and students came together to serve society in times of need, giving truth to the motto: "I love Thammasat because Thammasat teaches me to love the people."

The Faculty of Political Science#

The Faculty of Political Science, established in 1949, has a strong tradition of public service. It offers a full spectrum of undergraduate and graduate studies in three majors: Politics and Government, Public Administration, and International Relations.

Graduate programmes are offered both to regular students on a full-time basis and to executives on a part-time basis. There is also a doctoral programme, established in 2001.

In addition, the Faculty offers an international programme for undergraduate studies: the BIR Programme, Bachelor of Political Science in Politics and International Relations (International Program).

The Faculty considers that studying political science prepares graduates with a strong foundation for understanding important political issues, local, domestic and international in scope. Its mission is to provide a solid education about politics that contributes to making people aware, active and responsible citizens of Thailand and of the world.

Contact the BIR programme office#

This is the Faculty's own BIR programme office, which handles admissions, academic administration and official records. It's separate from BIRSA, the student association that runs this website.

The BIR programme office is located on the 2nd floor of the Faculty of Political Science Building at Thammasat University.

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00.

Address

BIR Program, Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University, Tha Phrachan Campus, 2 Prachan Rd, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.

Phone: (66) 02-613-2304

Fax: (66) 02-226-5652

Email: bir@staff.tu.ac.th

Official websites