Sripatum University
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SRIPATUM UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK 3 “THAILAND’s LEADING UNIVERSITY FOR THE NEW GENERATION” Wisdom Skills Cheerfulness Morality CONTENT SRIPATUM UNIVERSITY About SPU 6 SPU President 7 SPU Facilities & SPU Services 8 SPU Campus Map 9 THAILAND About Thailand 10 About Bangkok 11 Transportation 12 Do’s and Don’ts 13 Year-round events/ Public holidays 14 OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Director’s Message 16 OIR Team 17 Visa & Immegration 18 Housing 20 USEFUL CONTACTS List of International Embassies 22 Immigration offices 26 Emergency contacts 27 SRIPATUM INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE About SIC 29 Academic Programs 33 Grading System 33 Class Regulations 33 Testimonial 34 ABOUT SPU Message from the President Sripatum University (SPU), one of the oldest and most prestigious pri- vate universities in Thailand, was established in 1970 by Dr. Sook Poo- kayaporn by the name ” Sripatum College.” The name “Sripatum” meaning “Source of Knowledge Blooming like a Lotus” was conferred on the college by Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother. In 1987, the college was promoted to university status by the Ministry of University Affairs, and has since been known as Sripatum University. From then on, the University has expanded to four campuses: - Bangkhen Main Campus in Bangkok Dr. Rutchaneeporn Pookayaporn Phukkamarn - Phayathai Campus for Executive Programs located in CBD area - Chonburi Campus near the country’s Eastern Seaboard. - Sripatum University KhonKaen – Gateway to the Northeastern Region Sripatum University is a private university, which celebrated The university’s main goal is to create well-rounded students who can its 40th anniversary in 2010. Graduates of Sripatum University develop themselves to their chosen fields of study and to instill the stu- dents with correct attitudes towards education so that they are enthusias- are acknowledged by professional and academic organizations. tic in their pursuit of knowledge and self-development. This will provide The university continuously develops its academic courses the students a firm foundation for the future after graduation. and its teaching and learning methods as well as developing resources important for development of the university such In March 2002, Sripatum University has reached another key milestone for being accredited by the International Standards as lecturers, staff, technology, buildings, and environment. Organization (ISO9001:2000) for both undergraduate and graduate pro- The university places importance on faculty members with grams. knowledge and experience as well as various student activities to increase student’s knowledge and ability so that they grow to be intelligent, decisive, reasonable, independent, and flexible people. The university welcomes everyone and wishes everyone success in their studies. 8 S U P M A C U P CEs S VI R Health Care Services E Military Service Center S Consulting Services Sripatum University is located Banking Services Accidental Insurance on Phaholyothin Road, near Kaset Tour Bus Ticketing service intersection. The nearest metro Parking Facilities station is Paholyothin station. Cooperative Education Services From the station to the university, Scholarships Wi-Fi Internet you need to take taxi or bus (15-20 SCMS minutes). em@il live E-library Getting to Sripatum University by public bus no. 26, 34, 39, 59, 107, 114, 129, 185, 503, 512, 522, 543 FACIL IT Library I Campus Clinic E Fitness Center s Indoor Sports Center Book Center Music Rehearsal Studio Relaxation Room Canteen Muslim Prayer Room Student Accommodations 9 BANGKOK is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Known in Thai as KrungThepMahaNakhon, meaning “city of angels” for short, it was a THAILAND small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya King- THAILAND is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist dom. Bangkok is considered to be one of the world’s tourist hotspots. Bangkok is Thai- temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture that includes land’s major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive delectable Thai food and hospitality, Thailand features a in Bangkok. The city boasts some of the country’s most visited historical venues such modern capital city, and friendly people who epitomize Thailand’s “land of smiles” reputation. as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and WatArun. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok’s historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts. GEOGRAPHY Located in the center of Southeast Asia, Thailand is truly at the heart of the region. Looking over a map of Thailand will reveal a country whose borders form the rough shape of an elephant’s head. Land of WEATHER & TEMPERATURE The weather in Thailand is generally marked by three seasons, the Hospitalities rainy season, hot season, and cool season, though the climate is generally pleasant year round. and Smiles RELIGION While religion in Thailand is centered around Buddhism, people in Thailand have compassion and tolerance towards any religion and welcome others to study Buddhism or learn to meditate. POPULATION SPU The population of Thailand comprises of roughly 65 million citi- zens, the majority of whom are ethnically Thai, though peoples of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Mon, Khmer, Burmese, and Lao origin are also represented to varying degrees. Approximately 7 million citi- zens live in the capital city, Bangkok, though this number varies seasonally and is otherwise difficult to accurately count. ECONOMY The Thai economy remains largely export driven and robust and -re mains the second largest in Southeast Asia. LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION The Thai language can be tricky to master, but most Thais speak English and encourage visitors who try to speak Thai. 11 13 • One of the most iconic modes of trans- portation, the tuktuk is a truly Thai vehi- Do’s cle. The colorful, noisy, open-air tuktuks are both a “must ride” experience for both - Respect all images of Buddha, The King visitors and locals to quickly travel around. and the Royal Family. - Remove your shoes before entering some- one’s house or a temple. THAILAND You will also be required remove your shoes upon entering some shops. TRANSPORTATION - Try to keep calm at all times Thailand travel is convenient for • The Bangkok bus system features bus- - Smile a lot visitors as there are many ways to get ses of various size, type, and cost. This is - Try to learn a little bit Thai, hello and thank to Thailand by bus, air, or rail, whether due to the fact that there are both public you your destination is Bangkok,Phuket, Chi- and private city busses. Although wait- - Treat Monks with the upmost respect ang Mai, or the most remote provinces. ing for a Bangkok bus can be a sweaty Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and air-polluted prospect, so can walking - Enjoy yourself serves as the primary international air- from A to B. If you are on a budget and - Make sure you have a visa port in Thailand for numerous interna- don’t mind a little adventure, hopping tional airlines, most with direct flights on a bus that appears to be going your from abroad landing in the Thai capital. way will only cost you as little as 8 baht. Don’ts However, some chartered flights and • Bangkok may arguable have more tax- - Don’t show disrespect to the Royal Family international service from nearby Asian is than any city on Earth. Not only are or Buddhism nations may land at one of the other, they plentiful, they are very reasonably smaller international airports within priced now that meters have become the - Don’t raise your voice, get angry or aggres- Thailand, such as Phuket (HKT), Chi- norm. thereafter.Rates for a Bangkok sive ang Mai (CNX), Hat Yai (HDY), and taxi begin at 35 baht ($1 US) and then - Don’t touch a Thai persons head or mess KohSamui (USM) International Air- charge 2 baht for the first two kilome- with their hair ports. Airport Rail Link provides train ters and 2 baht per kilometer thereafter. - Don’t point to anything with your feet service at the maximum speed of 160 - Don’t use or sell illegal drugs km. per hour on an elevated track paral- • Thailand has two pri- - Don’t overstay your visa lel to the eastern railway, which covers mary metropolitan rail the distance of approximately 28 kilom- lines, the BTS skytrain, eters, passing through 8 stations; Phy- consisting of two athai Station, Rajprarop Station, Mak- Green Lines (Sukhum- kasan Station and City Air Terminal, vit and Silom) and the Ramkhamhaeng Station, Hua Mark Sta- first of several planned tion, Thab Chang Station, Lad Krabang MRT underground Station, and Suvarnabhumi Station. lines, the Blue Line. • The Thailand bus network is argu- • Bangkok’s MRT under- ably the number-one mode of trans- ground Blue Line is the portation both in and around Bang- newest addition to the kok, as well as for long distance travel. metropolitan rail system. 13 15 Year-round events & Public holidays The list below shows some of the important public holidays as well May as some of the more important nationwide celebrations that aren’t na- Labor Day International labor day is celebrated as a national holi- tional holidays. There are almost always festivals or other events ar- (National Holiday) day, even though there isn’t much ado about it ranged around these dates: Coronation Day Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was January (National Holiday) crowned. VisakhaBucha The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, en- National Holiday a national holiday in Thaland, one of three “new year” lightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha. holidays celebrated every year. (National Holiday) August February Buddhist Lent This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist ‘lent’ Chinese New Year The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand.