FACTORS INFLUENCING CHINESE STUDENTS IN CHOOSING TO STUDY THAI LANGUAGE COURSES IN UNIVERSITIES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THAILAND

Abstract

This research aimed to study the factors influencing Chinese students in choosing to study Thai language programs in universities in the northern region of Thailand. The sample group used in this research was 335 Chinese students studying Thai language programs in higher education institutions in the upper northern region of Thailand. A questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The statistics used for data analysis were frequency, mean, percentage, and standard deviation. The hypothesis was tested using t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson's simple correlation coefficient. It was found that age, year of study, city/province, and years of Thai language study were different in terms of deciding to study for a bachelor's degree in Thai language programs.

          Factors related to educational institutions had a statistically significant effect on the decision to study for a bachelor's degree in Thai language programs of Chinese students in higher education institutions in the upper northern region at a statistical level of 0.01. Family factors had a statistically significant effect on the decision to study for a bachelor's degree in Thai language programs of Chinese students in higher education institutions in the upper northern region at a statistical level of 0.01. Financial factors had a statistically significant effect on the decision to study for a bachelor's degree in Thai language programs of Chinese students in higher education institutions in the upper northern region at a statistical level of 0.01.  At a statistical significance level of 0.01, curriculum factors had no effect on the decision to pursue undergraduate studies of Chinese students in the Thai language program in higher education institutions in the upper northern region. Social acceptance factors had an effect on the decision to pursue undergraduate studies of Chinese students in the Thai language program in higher education institutions in the upper northern region. At a statistical significance level of 0.01, career factors had no effect on the decision to pursue undergraduate studies of Chinese students in the Thai language program in higher education institutions in the upper northern region.