NEW SOUTHBOUND POLICY IN EDUCATION: TAIWAN'S SOFT POWER ON THAI HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Objectives of this research were: 1. To study Taiwan's new Southbound policy, 2. To study Taiwan's new Southward policy in education, 3. To analyze Taiwan's soft power, and 4. To explore interactions that were suitable between Thai and Taiwan higher education institutions. The research methodology was the qualitative research, collected data from documents and in-depth interviews, speeches, documents, related research works, and interviewing. The data analysis was based on the conceptual framework of soft power, smart power, foreign policy, and the national interest, then interpreted for the results.

The results of the research showed that 1. New Southbound Policy was succeeded in people exchanging, including economic, society, and education. However, the new southbound policy was not a new policy with different objectives and goals depending on each of the presidents. 2. The New Southbound Policy in Education was successful in its implementation due to the increasing rate of further education in Taiwan and the exchanging focusing on Chinese language, research, and education, 3. Taiwan relied on soft powers, smart power, and warm power that were successful from the New Southbound Policy resulting in a better understanding of Taiwan, 4. An appropriate approaches of Thai higher education institutions towards Taiwan should be promoted and strengthened relationships that focused on academic’s development of knowledge technology, increasing the level of cooperation that emphasized on the development of personnel's potentials. However, it should not support the political issues directly.