SUT Background

During the period of the Fifth National Economic and Social Development Plan, the Royal Thai Government wished that more opportunities in higher education be available in the regional and rural areas. Thus, in 1984, the Ministry of University Affairs (now the Office of the Higher Education Commission, a part of the Ministry of Education) proposed the establishment of five new regional universities: one in each of the North, South, and East; and two in the Northeast. In particular, the Ministry proposed colleges affiliated with Khon Kaen University at Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces in the Northeast. The college at Nakhon Ratchasima would be called Suranaree College, and built on 1,120 hectares of degraded forest area in the Huay Ban Yang Reservoir, Muang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. On 27 July 1990, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously signed the Suranaree University of Technology Founding Bill into effect. Suranaree University of Technology thus recognizes 27 July 1990 as its Founding Day, the day that HM the King signed the Bill into effect. As announced in the Royal Gazette, the law became effective on July 30, 1990.