Two university rectors said yesterday that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's remarks earlier in the week urging students from his country not to study in Thailand would not affect Thailand's educational system or its public image.
Ubon Ratchathani University rector Prakob Wirojjanakoot said he believed that Cambodian students chose to study in Thailand because they were confident about the educational system.
"I believe that those studying and living in Thailand can differentiate between their original purpose and the ongoing conflicts between the two countries," he explained.
"There are a number of Cambodian students studying at the Ubon Ratchathani University at the post-graduate level, and even if Hun Sen's policy were turned into an order, I believe Thailand's public image would not be affected by it," he said.
Buri Ram Rajabaht Institute rector Kowit Chuemklang said students at his institute were taking good care of their Cambodian counterparts and there was no discrimination between them following the Thai-Cambodian fallout. The institute has 20 Cambodian students at the graduate level and five others at the post-graduate level, all either on scholarship or personal funding.
"The Cambodian students are not anxious about the dispute and are living their lives as per normal. The relationship between them and their Thai classmates and lecturers remains unaffected," he said.
"They have come to Thailand to get educated, and even if the policy is turned into a regulation, Thailand's educational system would not be affected by it."