The secretary-general of the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) said the reason for the postponement from today's original date was because more than 6,200 students had not yet paid their application fees. Pavich Thongroj, however, said the original interview dates remained: this coming Thursday and Friday.

He said that arbout 97,000 students had applied for university through the direct admissions system, but only 91,000 were confirmed by the banks as having paid the application fee.

Sasithorn Ahingsako, director of the Office to Promote and Develop Students' Potential, who oversees university enrolment, said she was not sure whether it was because those students had changed their minds or that there was a problem with the banking system.

She said she would check with the banks tomorrow.

OHEC rules state that the application fee must be paid only through the banking system. The banks then send a record of payments to the OHEC.

There are 10 state universities open for direct applications for the 8,781 seats available.

Another way for students to take a place at university is through the central university admissions system, which allows students to choose four disciplines and institutions at which they would like to enrol.

Pavich said applications under the central admissions system would be open until Thursday to allow those who failed under the direct application system to re-apply through the central system.

The announcement of those who are eligible for an interview under the central admission system is scheduled for Friday, said Pavich.