How Cambodian, Lao and Myanmar Students Adjust to Life in Thailand as International Students

A shorter adjustment, not a skipped one

Cambodian, Lao and Myanmar students moving to Thailand for university generally adjust faster than classmates heading to Europe, North America or East Asia. Shared Theravada Buddhist practice, similar food staples, and a regional climate mean fewer of the daily surprises that hit students moving further away. That does not mean there is no adjustment. Language, cost of living outside the capital, and visa steps still catch new students off guard.

Language: an uneven starting point

Lao and Thai share enough grammar and vocabulary that Lao students can often follow basic spoken Thai within the first weeks, since both languages descend from the same Tai language family. Cambodian (Khmer) and Myanmar (Burmese) students start from a very different base, since neither language is related to Thai, and typically need longer, more deliberate study to reach comfortable daily conversation.

University-run Thai language courses for international students are common at Thai institutions and worth enrolling in during your first semester rather than waiting, since coursework, lab instructions and administrative forms are frequently in Thai only, even on programmes taught in English.

Cost of living varies a lot by city

Bangkok costs noticeably more than regional Thai university cities for rent, food and transport. Many CLM students choose universities in regional cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen or Nakhon Ratchasima, where living costs run lower and the pace of life is closer to home. Budgeting separately for Bangkok versus a regional city before choosing where to apply avoids a mismatch between your budget and your expected lifestyle.

Scholarships and visa basics

Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI ) runs the annual Thailand Scholarships programme, which includes a Group 1 track specifically for CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) applicants alongside a general track open to all nationalities. Check the current year's MHESI announcement directly for eligible fields, award coverage and deadlines before applying, since terms are set fresh each academic year.

Student visa and extension-of-stay steps run through the Thai university's international office in most cases, which handles the paperwork with Thai Immigration on your behalf once you are enrolled. Start this process as early as your university instructs, since visa runs and reporting requirements are stricter than in Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar.

Finding fellow ASEAN students on campus

Thai universities with sizeable international cohorts run ASEAN or international student clubs, and many also host country-specific associations for Cambodian, Lao and Myanmar students specifically. Your university's international affairs office is the fastest way to find these groups, along with orientation programmes that pair new CLM students with senior students from the same country.

The ASEAN University Network also supports student mobility and exchange links between member universities across the region, and some of its partner campuses run joint ASEAN student activities that CLM students studying in Thailand can join even outside a formal exchange programme.

Practical adjustment tips

• Start Thai language classes in your first semester rather than assuming shared regional culture will close the gap on its own.

• Compare living costs between Bangkok and regional university cities before choosing where to study.

• Check the current year's MHESI Thailand Scholarships announcement directly for CLMV-specific terms, since coverage and deadlines change yearly.

• Register with your university's international office early for visa extension and reporting requirements.

• Join your university's ASEAN or country-specific student club in the first weeks for a ready peer network.