Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) was officially established by Royal Charter on 5 September 1978 as Thailand’s eleventh state university.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, graciously bestowed the university its name in honor of King Prajadhipok, King Rama VII, who, prior to his ascession to the thorone held the title “Prince Sukhothai Thammaracha”. STOU was the first university in Southeast Asia to use the distance learning system. |
On 24 October 1978, His Majesty issued Royal Mandates appointing the first group of University Council members and appointing Professor Dr.Wichit Srisa-an as the first president, effective from January 1978. After approximately two years of preparation, STOU received its first academic class on 1 December 1980. STOU began with three schools of study, namely Educational Studies, Liberal Arts and Management Science.
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During 1979-1984, STOU had no home of its own, so it had to share space with such agencies as the National Education Commission, Thai Airways, the Faculty of Economics of Chulalongkorn University, and the Ministry of University Affairs. In 1981 Mr. Mongkol Kanjanapas donated to the university a 30 rai section of land located in Pakkret district, Nonthaburi province. The university then bought more land, bringing the total area to approximately 135 rai
Construction of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University began in 1982, and the university began operations at its new site on 9 December 1984.
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