The education sector in Thailand is projected to grow at least 10 per cent annually due to the implementation of the government’s new 'Strong Thailand' campaign (Thai Kem Keng scheme), says Thailand’s export chief.

International students currently contribute some Bt50 billion of Thailand’s Bt70 billion education sector, says Director-General Rachaen Pojjanasunthorn of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP).

Speaking at a press conference at the Thailand International Education Exhibition for 2009, the DEP chief said the private and public sectors are jointly promoting Thailand as a regional education hub under the Thai Kem Keng Scheme to be implemented during 2010-2012.

He added that more than 300 international education institutes are located nationwide in Thailand with the capacity to provide Thai and foreign students from over 100 countries with more than 900 courses.

More than 70,000 foreign students enrol at the international institutes in Thailand annually, earning the country over Bt50 billion in foreign currencies.

Around 20,000 Thai students enrol in courses at the institutes each year, making over Bt70 billion circulate in Thailand, he said. As a result, additional visitors from neighbouring countries include parents and prospective students.

Joining together with DEP in sponsoring the annual exhibition are the Ministry of Education, the International Schools Association of Thailand, the Association of Private Higher Education Institutes of Thailand, the Association of Private Schools for English Program, and the Association of the Thai Software Industry. (TNA)