King Chulalongkorn founded Thailand’s first medical school in 1889—the School of Medical Practitioners at Siriraj Hospital, now the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.
Since then, Thailand has developed a broad network of medical schools. The Medical Council of Thailand currently lists recognized Thai medical schools across government and private institutions. You can study for an MD degree here or go on to conduct research and qualify for higher education programs.
Studying medicine in Thailand also offers you access to a great part of the world to travel in, from the country’s own spectacular heritage and amazing beaches to the rest of Asia.
Below are five of the best-known medical schools in Thailand.
Is it expensive to study medicine in Thailand?
Tuition varies widely by university, program, and student status. Public-university Thai-language MD programs are generally much cheaper than private international MD programs, but applicants should always check the latest fee schedule for the specific program. At Mahidol University, graduate health-science fees can vary substantially by program; one Ramathibodi doctoral program, for example, lists tuition at 9,000 THB per credit, with additional service, thesis, and research fees.
Living costs in Thailand can be affordable compared with many Western countries, but total annual costs depend heavily on the program type, housing, health insurance, university fees, and clinical or research-related expenses.
How can you get admission to medical school in Thailand?
Getting into medical school in Thailand is very competitive, and admissions requirements are program-specific. Applicants should check current program pages and admissions announcements for required tests such as UCAT or MCAT, interviews, TCAS rules, English scores, and portfolio requirements.
Most Thai-language public MD seats are aimed at Thai applicants through Thai admissions channels, while international students often participate in electives, clinical rotations, or exchange programs. However, international students are not limited to exchanges: full MD options for international applicants do exist, including Chulalongkorn University’s CU-MEDi international MD program for bachelor’s degree holders and Thammasat University’s international MD program at Chulabhorn International College of Medicine.
How long does medical school take in Thailand?
The standard Thai MD route after high school generally lasts six years, after which students obtain an MD degree. Some graduate-entry international MD options are shorter for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree; for example, Chulalongkorn University’s CU-MEDi program requires at least four years of study for bachelor’s degree holders.
Many options are available thereafter for master’s or PhD study, residency, fellowship training, or other research-focused programs, depending on the university and the applicant’s qualifications.
Top Medical Schools in Thailand
1. Mahidol University – Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital
The Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, is one of Thailand’s leading public medical faculties. It opened in 1969, while Mahidol’s older Siriraj faculty traces its origins to Thailand’s first medical school. Ramathibodi received financial and academic support from the Rockefeller Foundation and places strong emphasis on medical education, research, and patient care.
In the six-year MD program, official Ramathibodi information states that students spend the first year studying pre-medical courses at the Salaya Campus, the second and third years in pre-clinical studies at the Faculty of Science, Phaya Thai Campus, and the fourth to sixth years in clinical studies at the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Phaya Thai Campus.
Students interested in engineering-linked or innovation-focused pathways should check current Mahidol and Ramathibodi announcements, as the university continues to develop collaborative medical, biomedical engineering, and innovation-related education activities.
2. Chulalongkorn University – Faculty of Medicine
Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine is one of Thailand’s oldest and most prominent medical faculties. Founded in 1947, it was established to help increase the number of doctors educated in the country. It is closely associated with King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and emphasizes medical professionalism, ethics, research, and specialized training.
Chulalongkorn’s conventional Thai-track medical admissions follow separate processes, while the university now also offers CU-MEDi, an international Doctor of Medicine program for bachelor’s degree holders. CU-MEDi requires at least four years of study and is designed for applicants from any academic background who meet the program’s admissions requirements.
The university has international collaborations and exchange opportunities that support medical education, research, and clinical experience.
3. Chiang Mai University – Faculty of Medicine
Located in Mueang Chiang Mai, the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University was the first medical school in Thailand established outside Bangkok. It was created to expand medical education and improve health care in Northern Thailand, with cooperation from the U.S. government in its early development.
Chiang Mai University focuses on serving the needs of the population in Northern Thailand, particularly in rural areas. Its MD program is a six-year program, and its current postgraduate course information lists master’s and doctoral programs in medical sciences, including several international options.
4. Khon Kaen University – Faculty of Medicine
Khon Kaen University is located in Mueang Khon Kaen District, and its Faculty of Medicine was officially established in 1972. It was created to address the shortage of doctors in Northeastern Thailand, and the New Zealand government assisted with the design and supervision of the construction of the hospital and teaching buildings.
The faculty is anchored by Srinagarind Hospital and emphasizes medical education, research, health care, and community-based service. Students can continue from the MD degree into postgraduate programs in medical disciplines. The school also maintains international academic links with partner universities to support exchanges, research, and collaboration.
5. Prince of Songkla University – Faculty of Medicine
Next in our list of top medical schools in Thailand is the Faculty of Medicine at Prince of Songkla University. This school was designed to support the development of doctors to meet demand in Southern Thailand. The school’s vision is to remain at the forefront of regional and international medical education and practice.
In 1976, the foundation stone was laid for Songklanagarind Hospital, the faculty’s main teaching hospital. The hospital later opened for patient admission and became a major clinical training and referral center for Southern Thailand. Its principal objective is to provide medical treatment and laboratory services to the region, support other hospitals, and enable medical students, nursing students, and medical personnel to develop their clinical skills and knowledge.
The university also has specialized clinical centers, including the Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Heart Center at Songklanagarind Hospital. These centers support patient care, training, and research opportunities, especially for students and graduates pursuing clinical or research pathways after the MD program.
International visitors can take part in clinical electives and other inbound activities at the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University. Prospective full-degree students should check the university’s current admissions pages for the latest eligibility rules, language requirements, and application procedures.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Scholarships Page and Open Courses Page for International Students!
