About Us

About SPD

Empowering students to understand society, create solutions, and inspire change.

From Our Home to the World Stage

Hearing parents share how proud they are of their children studying in the Social Policy and Development (SPD) Program is truly inspiring.

Finding My Purpose

Why Choosing SPD at Thammasat Was the Right Decision I Made. Get to know more about SPD from SPD students!!

From Theory to Action

How My Time in SPD Shaped My Work in Global Development. Get to know more about SPD from our current SPD Alumni!!

Far From Home, Right Where I Belong

Embracing Life and Learning at Thammasat SPD. Get to know more about SPD from SPD Exchange Student!!

Thammasat University

Philosophy

“Thammasat University develops liberal intellectuals and responsible innovators who become engaged global citizens committed to society and sustainability.”

Vision

Leading Comprehensive University for a Future Society

Faculty of Social Administration

Philosophy

“Developing ethical social workers and social service professionals committed to diversity, social justice, and proactive national development.”

Vision

A leading Faculty of Social Administration in Thailand, producing graduates in social work and social policy. Advancing research that creates tangible social impact and driving sustainable development.

SPD Program

Philosophy

“To develop ethical graduates who respect human dignity and diversity, possess professional expertise, and drive social policy and innovation for social justice and sustainable development.”

Vision

Empowering social policy leaders. Advancing impactful research. Driving sustainable futures.

Mission

The graduates we aim to produce

The programme aims to produce graduates who possess the following attributes.

1

Knowledge, Professional Competence & Ethics

Graduates will possess the knowledge, values, practical skills, and ethical standards required to effectively practice in social policy, social development, and social welfare administration at both national and international levels.

2

Analytical & Strategic Capacity

Graduates will be able to critically analyse social issues, systematically design and plan social services, and develop innovative solutions to address complex social challenges.

3

Critical Thinking, Creativity & Research Competence

Graduates will demonstrate independent thinking, critical and creative problem-solving abilities, and foundational research competencies, enabling them to develop effective and sustainable responses to diverse social issues in a wide range of contexts.

Organization

Program Governance

This organizational structure outlines the governance framework, reporting lines, and operational support mechanisms for the SPD program.

1

Executive & Advisory Governance

SPD Committees

Serve as the governing body responsible for oversight, policy alignment, and performance evaluation. They directly monitor the SPD Director to ensure accountability and institutional compliance.

SPD Director

Holds overall executive accountability for the program. The Director oversees core strategic areas, including Academic Affairs and the office of the Deputy Director.

Deputy Director

Exercises delegated administrative leadership, holding direct managerial responsibility over Student Affairs and operational oversight of the Student Union.

2

Operational Divisions

Academic Affairs
  • Reports directly to the SPD Director and manages academic design and implementation.
    • Responsibilities: Course management, Academic Activities, and Academic Assurance.
Student Affairs
  • Student Affairs: Reports directly to the Deputy Director and focuses on student lifecycle support and external engagement.
    • Responsibilities: Internships, Student Activities, Mental Health Support, and Partnership Engagement.
Student Union
  • Student Union: Operates under the supervision of the Deputy Director to support student representation and specialized initiatives.
    • Sub-entities: SPD Council and SPD Labs.

3

Administrative Support Infrastructure

SPD Secretariat Office

Functions as the backbone administrative hub. It provides essential operational support across three key pillars:

1

SPD Committees
( governance support )

2

Academic Affairs
( academic support )

3

Student Affairs
( student support )

Student Union

Student Union Governance

This organizational structure outlines the governance framework, sub-entities, and operational interactions within the SPD Student Union.

1

Executive Structure & Core Arms

SPD Student Union

Serves as the overarching governing body overseeing student-led initiatives, political representation, and practical academic projects.

SPD Student Council

Functions as a primary operational arm under the Student Union, representing the student body and managing student governance.

SPD Social Labs

Serves as the applied research and innovation division under the Student Union, responsible for coordinating action-oriented academic and practical projects through specialized laboratories.

2

Specialized Social Labs Framework

SPD Research Lab

Focus

Academic research and scholarly publication.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develops a full research cycle with an emphasis on intensive academic methodology.
  • Communicates research findings through literature, seminars, and conferences.

External Engagement · Academicians & Academic Institutions

SPD Project Lab

Focus

Project pitching competitions, prototyping, and practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develops a complete project cycle, including prototypes, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Drives problem discovery and start-up development.

External Engagement · Practitioners & Executive Agencies

3

Inter-Lab Knowledge Exchange & Governance Workflow

The SPD Research Lab and SPD Project Lab operate in a collaborative feedback loop to bridge theory and practice:

  • SPD Project Lab à SPD Research Lab: The Project Lab submits a “Request deep analysis” to ground practical solutions in rigorous research.

  • SPD Research Lab à SPD Project Lab: The Research Lab responds by “Provide Insight”, ensuring that project prototypes and pitches are informed by academic evidence.
Internship and Exchange Program

Learning by doing, in the field

Internship Programme

Every SPD student completes a supervised internship, applying classroom knowledge to real organisations working on social issues in Thailand and abroad.

Internship Handbook

The complete guide to SPD internship policies, expectations, evaluation criteria, and step-by-step procedures for students and host organisations.

Forms & Templates

Available in Thai and English — view online or download.

Previous Internship Host Organisations

Previous Internship Host Organisations

NGO & Civil Society

Work alongside non-profits and community organisations on programmes addressing poverty, welfare, and social justice.

Government Agencies

Gain experience in public policy and administration within Thai government ministries and local agencies.

International Organisations

Support the work of UN agencies, INGOs, and regional bodies on development and humanitarian projects.

Community Projects

Engage directly with communities on grassroots initiatives supervised by SPD faculty members.

Private Sector / Public Companies

Apply skills in corporate social responsibility, HR, and policy roles within leading companies.

Exchange Programme

Bachelor of Arts in Social Policy and Development

Exchange Programme

Qualified students can spend a semester or full academic year at one of our partner universities, broadening their understanding of social policy across cultures and systems.

Our partners university (Faculty Level Agreements)

  • National University of Singapore (NUS)
  • Tilburg University, The Netherlands
  • Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Our partners university (Faculty Level Agreements)

Faculty Members

The people behind the program

Lecturers & Experts
Dr. Siyuan Liu

Lecturer

Education

Teaching Areas

Communication for Social Change

Gender & Social Diversity

Social Innovation & Sustainability

Sex Tourism, Sex Workers, Women & Tourism

Dr. Gwyn Peredur Evans

Lecturer

Education

Teaching Areas

Globalisation & International Development Paradigms

Social Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation

Academic Writing

Research for Social Development

Dr. Shan Li

Lecturer

Education

Teaching Areas

Migration & Diaspora Studies

Social Change & Social Behavior

Gerontology & Family Studies

Immigrant & Multicultural Education

Ajarn Kevin Cook

Lecturer

Education

Teaching Areas

Civil Society Management

Transnational Corporations & Labour Welfare

Critical Thinking, Reading & Writing

Personal Management & Development

Dr. Haosheng Duan

Lecturer

Education

Teaching Areas

Thailand, ASEAN & the World

Socio-Political Economies of Global Communities

Life & Sustainability

Development & Welfare Programmes Management

Asst. Prof. Mahesh Chougule

Assistant Professor

Education

Teaching Areas

Social Work & Social Policy

Urban & Rural Community Development

Comparative Welfare States

Social Welfare Policies in ASEAN

Dr. Nalinee Chuakhamfoo

Lecturer

Education

Teaching Areas

Public Health & Social Well-being

Aging Policy

Quantitative Research

Human Behavior
Asst. Prof. Sukanya Meesakulthong

Assistant Professor

Education

Teaching Areas

Social Change & Social Development

Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment & Interdisciplinary Practice

Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care

Industrial Social Work & Labour Welfare

Asst. Prof. Watchara Pechdin

Assistant Professor

Education

Teaching Areas

Disaster Management

Welfare Economics

Development Studies

War & Conflict

Lecturers & Experts
Kevin

Lecturer

Jay

Lecturer

Duan

Lecturer

Andy

Lecturer

Pred

Lecturer

Ploy

Lecturer

Mahesh

Lecturer

Li shan

Lecturer

Student Union
MS. RADA JARIYANUPATTANAKUL (TMO)

PRESIDENT OF STUDENT COUNCIL

MS. TAMTAWAN BOONPRAKOB
(TAMMY)

PRESIDENT OF STUDENT COUNCIL

MS. TINGTING DENG
(TINGTING)

PRESIDENT OF STUDENT COUNCIL

MS. MAW BYAR MYAR
(MAW)

PRESIDENT OF STUDENT COUNCIL

MR. KAUNG KHANT KYAW
(GEORGIE)

STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE

MS. ZIXUAN ZHOU
(ZHOU)

STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE

MR. KHU BENJAMIN TAKAE (BEN)

STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE

MR. SOE THIHA ZAN
(OLIVER)

STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE

MS. MILLI BAKTIAR
(MILLI)

STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE

Supporting Staff
MS. JULARAT MUANGHOT
(POOKPIK)

SUPPORTING STAFF

MS. ONWANYA SUARNGKHAWATHIN (NING)

STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE

MS. JIDAPA KHUNSRI
(POP)

STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE

Project lab staff
MS. THISSANAMADEE KULJITTIRATTAYA (FOCUS)

HEAD OF SPD PROJECT LAB

MS. CHAW SU THAZIN

SPD PROJECT LAB MEMBER

MR. PEERAPHAT JIRAANANKUN (PEEM)

SPD PROJECT LAB MEMBER

MR. NAOKI NOMURA (NAOKI)

SPD PROJECT LAB MEMBER

MS. SAMARA CHHETRI (SAM)

SPD PROJECT LAB MEMBER

Our Partners