What SRU actually awards
Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in its own name.
On the founding year: Opened as Suratthani Teachers College; a university in its own right only from 2004.
As published by the institution: 272 Surat-Nasan Road, Khun Thale, Mueang Surat Thani 84100.
Suratthani Rajabhat University at a glance
Suratthani Rajabhat University traces its roots to 1973, when it was established as Suratthani Teachers College under Thailand's Third National Economic and Social Development Plan to train teachers for the southern Gulf-coast provinces. It opened its first academic-certificate semester in 1976 and began weekend bachelor's-degree training for working teachers in 1979.
Its change of name and its change of legal status were two separate events roughly three years apart, and they are commonly run together. On 14 February 1992 King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted the name "Rajabhat" to the teachers colleges nationwide -- an honour, not a reconstitution. The legal elevation came with the Rajabhat Institute Act, published in the Royal Gazette on 24 January 1995, which converted the teachers colleges into Rajabhat Institutes with a mandate well beyond teacher training. Full university status followed under the Rajabhat University Act B.E. 2547 in 2004. BAANLYY previously described the 1992 name grant as the elevation itself; that has been corrected here.
The main campus sits at 272 Surat-Nasan Road in Khun Thale subdistrict, roughly 15km from the provincial capital, and the university also runs a satellite Koh Samui Interdisciplinary School campus on the island. For renters, Khun Thale is the practical point: it is a separate settlement from the city, with its own student housing market, and a daily commute into central Surat Thani is a real journey rather than a walk.
Notable facts
- Founded in 1973 as Suratthani Teachers College. The name "Rajabhat" was granted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 14 February 1992; the legal conversion to Rajabhat Institute came with the Act gazetted 24 January 1995; full university status came in 2004.
- Operates two campuses within Surat Thani province: the main Khun Thale campus and a Koh Samui Interdisciplinary School site on the island.
- The only institution in this directory that awards degrees under its own name, at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level.
BAANLYY does not rank, endorse or accept payment from universities. Facts on this page are general and drawn from Suratthani Rajabhat University's established public identity — always confirm current admissions, programs and fees directly with the institution. Visit the official Suratthani Rajabhat University website →
Sources & References
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
Find a home near SRU
Browse Surat Thani condos and shared housing close to Khun Thale, about 15km from the city centre, or see our full neighbourhood finder.
