Previously, Ministry of Education has planned to change school term dates in Thailand by starting the first semester on 10 June. However, after thorough consideration and study, Khun Chaturon, Minister of Education has just announced the term dates of Thai schools and vocational colleges will remain the same:
Semester 1: from 16 May to 11 October
Semester 2: from 1 November to 1 April
The Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) has studied an effect and appropriate period for the newly adjusted academic year and found that it does not affect teaching and learning at school because vocational colleges in Thailand focus on bilateral teaching approaches that allow students to work more than study in class. Nevertheless, it will use the same regulations as OBEC to provide more options for vocational students.
More details can be obtained from http://www.moe.go.th/websm/2013/oct/338.html (available in Thai only)
For Higher Education, The Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) presented some policies and asked for cooperation from universities in Thailand to change and adjust the opening and closing of the academic year of 2014 from June to August or September so that it corresponds to both ASEAN and international academic calendars. This will create about five-month gap for high school students (Mathayom 6) before entering the university and this could be the opportunity to offer them an English course both in Thailand and the UK.
Next year, university students will also have five month free times before starting the new semester in August. For Education UK, we are working on the special summer school programme in the UK to enable adult students to stay longer for the English course.
However, there is still some inconsistence, for Sathit or University Demonstration school, they are still making a decision if they will follow HE or school term dates.
Unlike other HE, for Rajabhat and Rajamangkala (new university), they may not change their term dates.