Thammasat University

Thammasat University
มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์
Former names
University of Moral and Political Sciences
MottoFor excellence, for justice, and readiness in leadership
TypeNational
Established27 June 1934 (1934-06-27)
FounderPridi Banomyong
Budget17,444,989,498.60 Baht (2023)
RectorSupasawad Chardchawarn
Academic staff
2,082
Students39,952 (2nd term, AY2023)
Undergraduates34,701
Postgraduates5,251
Location,
13°45′27″N 100°29′24″E / 13.75750°N 100.49000°E / 13.75750; 100.49000
Campus
Anthem"Yung Thong"
('Golden Flamboyant')
Colors
  Yellow and red
Affiliations
MascotFlamboyant Tree
Websitewww.tu.ac.th

Thammasat University (TU; Thai: มธ.; Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์, RTGS: Mahawitthayalai Thammasat) is a public research university in Thailand with campuses in the Tha Phra Chan area of Bangkok, Rangsit, Pattaya and Lampang Province. As of 2024, Thammasat University has over 39,000 students enrolled in 33 faculties, colleges, institutes and 2,000 academic staff.

Thammasat is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established to be the national university of Thailand on 27 June 1934, it was named by its founder, Pridi Banomyong, the University of Moral and Political Sciences (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยวิชาธรรมศาสตร์และการเมือง; RTGS: Mahawitthayalai Wicha Thammasat Lae Kanmueang). It began as an open university, with 7,094 students studying law and politics in its first year.

In 1960, the university ended its free-entry policy and became the first in Thailand to require passing national entrance examinations for admission. Thammasat today offers more than 240 academic programmes in 33 different faculties and colleges on four campuses. Over the 80 years since its foundation, Thammasat University has evolved from an open university for law and politics to an international university offering all levels of academic degrees in many fields and disciplines. It has graduated more than 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university's alumni have included some of Thailand's prime ministers, leading politicians, governmental figures, Bank of Thailand governors, and jurists.

Tha Phra Chan Campus, the original campus of the university, is in Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. The campus is in close proximity to many tourist destinations and was the site of the 14 October 1973 uprising and the 6 October 1976 massacre. Rangsit campus, where most undergraduate programmes are concentrated, is in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani. Thammasat has smaller regional campuses in Lampang and Pattaya.