The Cambridge Thai Foundation (CTF) Under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen
The Cambridge Thai Foundation (CTF) Under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen was established in 1990 with the mission of providing scholarships to Thai students for study at Cambridge University. Scholarships are provided, without obligation, to selected students pursuing Bachelor, Master's or Doctorate degrees.
The 800 year old university consistently ranks as the world's top universities. Cambridge has historical ties with students from Siam dating back a century ago when H.R.H. Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok and Khromkhun Bajaraboon-intarachai became the first Siamese students. They eventually returned to serve the country in their chosen careers.
The establishment of the CTF has offered a new option to Thai students who wish to study at Cambridge. From the outset, the Foundation was associated with the Cambridge Overseas Trust (COT). The COT, now the Cambridge Trust, was founded by the university in 1989 to support international students from countries outside the EU and the Commonwealth. For Thai students selected by the CTF, the COT pays part of the scholarship and bursary costs with the CTF making up the balance. Between 1990 and 2022, some 164 scholars have been supported by the CTF, mostly with postgraduate degrees.
About Us
The Cambridge Thai Foundation - How it all began By Dr. Sumet Jumsai
A close friend and contemporary at St. John's College and Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia at the time turned up in Bangkok in 1989. This was the late Alex Lee. We had long chats together during the course of which I complained that when I went back to teach at the Department of Architecture that year, there was not a single Thai student left at the University. Alex then told me that he and his Cantab friends in Malaysia had set up the Cambridge Malaysia Trust which managed to get some 30 students into Cambridge every year. The same arrangement and number of students also applied in the case of tiny Singapore. I asked him how it was done: he gave his advice accordingly, and after returning to Malaysia, sent me additional information. Based on this I went to see M.R. Sarisdiguna Kitiyakara (Magdalene and my senior by a year) and said we should do something about it.
Board of Directors
The CTF was founded through the initiatives of several distinguished Cantabs who shared the vision of enabling Thai students with exceptional academic records to study at Cambridge. The founding Board of Directors included Mr. Anand Panyarachun, KBE (Trinity 1952-1955), M.R. Sarisdiguna Kitiyakara (Magdalene 1957-1961), Dr. Sumet Jumsai (St. John's 1958-1967), Dr. Kovit Poshyananda (Fitzwilliam 1955-1958) and Dr. Utis Kaothien (Wolfson 1984-1989)
Chairman's Message
Mr. anand panyarachun
The Cambridge Thai Foundation (established in 1990) is now over 30 years old. Over a hundred and sixty Thai students have had the very special opportunity to study at Cambridge with the help of the foundation. With only a few exceptions, all have returned to Thailand whether immediately on gaining a Cambridge degree, or after a further period of study or work experience. Now they can be found across the public and private sectors- in universities government agencies, law and accountancy firms, major corporations, and family businesses.
Their schoarships would not have been possible without the support of the Foundation sponsors. These include some corporate donors and also several generous individuals. The Foundation and the scholars are very grateful for their support.
The Foundation has also enjoyed very fulsome assistance from the Cambridge Trusts. For every baht that the Foundation gives to a scholar, the Cambridge Trusts gives the same or more in sterling. This has been very important especailly as the cost of studying at Cambridge has risen relentlessly in baht terms over the thirty years of the Foundation's existence.