It's well known to the world that the Chinese economy is growing by leaps and bounds. One by-product of this financial success has been the recent long march of Chinese students towards international educational destinations. But less understood, perhaps, is the fact that Thailand's higher learning system earns high marks in the Middle Kingdom, and it is now a popular choice for many young Chinese seeking a study-abroad experience.

The number of Chinese students in Thailand is rising each year. SHAWN KELLY

This fact was celebrated on Nov 5 when the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) welcomed nearly 200 Chinese undergraduate students from six universities in Thailand to the inaugural "China Day" in Pathum Thani.

Chinese students make up the largest number of foreign students in the kingdom by nationality. Currently, there are approximately 10,000 Chinese nationals who are studying at various higher learning institutions in Thailand.

Organised by the Chinese Student Association of Thailand and AIT's Student Union, China Day 2010 aimed to increase Chinese undergraduate students' awareness of post-graduate opportunities at AIT, and to strengthen the friendship among Chinese students in Thailand and their cross-cultural ties with AIT's international community comprising over 50 nationalities.

The event was opened by Mr Guan Mu, the Chinese ambassador to Thailand, who remarked that Thailand is "a good choice" for many Chinese to an audience of Chinese undergraduates from Assumption University, Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU), Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, Kasetsart University, Thammasat University and University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Guan Mu told AIT President Prof Said Irandoust that he believed AIT is an ideal school for young Chinese to study alongside students from Asia, Europe and North America. AIT has produced more than 700 alumni from China in its masters and doctoral programmes.

There is plenty of evidence of the strengthening of bilateral relations between Thailand and the People's Republic of China, ambassador Guan Mu said, and country-to-country educational exchange is one of the best ways to enhance direct ties. Though US and European universities remain the first choice for many Chinese, the cultural similarity, proximity and rapidly growing economy of Thailand make it suitable for internationally ambitious young people, the ambassador stressed.

DPU international business student Nong Yuan Yuan, 21, of Guangxi province in China's southern region, agreed. "Thailand is geographically and culturally close to where I come from," said Ms Nong, who studies the Thai language and hopes to parlay her language skills into a business career that links the countries commercially.

For fellow Guangxi native Zeyin Wang, 23, who studies law at Thammasat University and aspires to become a Thai translator, career opportunities in Thailand are a definite attraction. "I think I will have unique and marketable abilities, and I would like to find a good job here after graduation."

Event organiser Qi Xinjian, a graduate student at AIT from Hebei province, explained that although Thailand ranks around 15th in terms of popularity for Chinese studying abroad, the upward trend is clear. "One of the reasons more students are increasingly coming here is the accepting nature of Thai society. Many find the transition easy, and for some students the Asia-to-Asia move is not such an adjustment as going to study in the West, for example."

Assumption University MBA student An Zhong Cheng, 25, studies the trend as part of his graduate thesis entitled Why Chinese students Choose to Study in Thailand. Topping the list of attractions are the quality international programmes developed at Thai universities and AIT, which he says are attractive to Chinese because of their relatively low cost coupled with recognised international-level quality. "Students know they will immediately experience high standards, and have access to globally recognised instructors and resources. These are generally only available to a small minority who are able to gain a place at the very top universities in China."

The relaxed, positive image the country enjoys within China is also a considerable draw, he said. Chinese can open their minds to new experiences and improve their chances of personal development here. "There is less stress in Thailand, and the odds of landing a good job are far greater for me here than in China," said Zhang Xiaolong, a 20-year-old hotel management student at DPU.

Mr Luo Yong, president of the Chinese Student Association of Thailand, explained that the event was a first-of-its-kind for Thailand. Chinese students had the opportunity to tour AIT's three graduate schools, witness displays of cutting-edge technological research, and attend a photo exhibition that showcased AIT's association with the People's Republic of China and examined the uniqueness of China's culture.