• Thais have the right to academic pursuit, which includes education and training, research, dissemination of research findings, and the learning and instruction of academic principles as long as these activities do not contravene rightful civic duties and good social morality;
• All Thais are entitled to a minimum of 12 years of quality education provided indiscriminately and free of charge by the government.
• The state must provide free education and at the same time promote the private sector’s investment in education, in order to educate society in general knowledge, ethics and democratic political practices, and must support research work, develop science and technology, and promote the country’s traditions and culture.
• Guaranteeing the rights of specific groups of the population – underprivileged, handicapped, etc. – to education services.

After the Enactment of the 1997 Thai Constitution, Thai lawmakers passed a National Education Act in 1999, stipulating that formal education is divided into two levels: the basic education (six years primary and six years secondary) Thus, Thailand’s public schooling is organized around six years primary (Pràthom) education, starting at age six, and then another six years for secondary (Mátháyom) and then the tertiary (Ùdom) level. Secondary education is further divided into three years for lower secondary and three years for upper secondary. Thai compulsory education is nine years of schooling, primary and lower secondary education.

The Act of 1999 serves as the fundamental law for the administration and provision of education and training, based on three principles: 1) lifelong education for all; 2) participation by all segments of the society; and 3) continuous development of the bodies of knowledge and the learning process. In short, the country’s education reform strategy is the radical reform in public and private education, aimed to improve outcomes, expand access to secondary education, increase efficiency in use of public funds, and empower communities to “own” their schools.
Pre-primary education is also provided by various government organizations, including the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education. In addition to the government institutions, private schools are also operating providing private kindergarten schooling and pre-primary education.

Diversion from the general education scheme into vocational education starts at the upper secondary level, after nine years of general education. Graduates from three years of vocational education (a total of 12 years of schooling) receive a Certificate in Vocational Education (or Por-Vor-Chor in Thai). Those graduated from vocational education may enter the labor market as skilled workers or tradesmen. Some undertake another two years of vocational study for a Diploma in Vocational Education (Por-Vor-Sor). Another way to obtain a higher-level vocational qualification is to take a two-year course after 12 years of general education to receive a Diploma in Technical Education (Por-Vor-Tor).