Protecting Thailand’s investment in scholarships

Thailand invests millions of baht each year in scholarships to send its brightest students abroad, hoping they will return home and help develop the country. This investment is at risk, however, if students face unexpected illnesses or challenges like mental health issues without proper support.

The government grants scholarships abroad to more than 1,700 students annually, with each student receiving about one million baht per year. Ideally, they will return to work in Thailand and contribute to society. Not all students succeed or return to fulfil their commitments though. Some face challenges that hinder their progress, such as the case of Prapakorn Winaisathaporn, also known as Dr. Keng.

The story of Dr. Keng illustrates why it's important for the government to provide not only financial aid but also mental health support, to ensure these investments do not go to waste.

A path to the beloved career

Dr. Keng initially earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. She had a promising job in the private sector, which enabled her to travel abroad for both business and training.

At one point, she considered transferring her knowledge and experience to the younger generation. So, after completing her Master’s in Economics and working in the private sector for 8 years, she joined Mae Fah Luang University as a lecturer.

Three years later, the university required her to undergo further training, a standard protocol for universities throughout Thailand. This meant that she had to enroll in a doctoral program.

“I didn’t have a passion for pursuing a PhD. My decision to become a lecturer was driven by my desire to contribute to and help develop society. It was because I loved this career that I had no choice but to go,” Dr. Keng said.

Mental Health Support in the UK

Back in 2008 she was granted a scholarship to study for a PhD in Economics at the University of Kent in the UK, where she had an exciting experience and the opportunity to learn in one of the best education systems in the world.

She made many friends and enjoyed her time there, but her life changed when her mother passed away. The emotional impact of her loss, combined with a genetic predisposition to mental health issues, caused Dr. Keng to suffer a mental breakdown.

In the UK, Dr. Keng had access to a strong mental health support system. Her university supervisor noticed her struggles and encouraged her to seek help. There were counsellors at the university, and even her landlord helped her get to the hospital when needed. This support helped her finish her PhD and return to Thailand to become a university lecturer.

16 Million baht lawsuit

On her return to Thailand, Dr. Keng’s untreated mental health symptoms resurfaced. She was unable to continue her work as a lecturer and, after a short while, she was dismissed from Mae Fah Luang University.

As a consequence, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, along with the university that had funded her scholarship, sued her for 16 million baht in compensation, three times the amount of the scholarship granted, claiming that she had not fulfilled her contract.

“I never imagined something like this would happen to me. No one expects or wants to become sick. I had a full future ahead of me,” Dr. Keng said.

She suffered another severe mental breakdown. She lived alone for 10 years and was often seen wandering the streets of Chiang Rai, like others with untreated mental illnesses.

Why investing in mental health support matters

After her case attracted media attention, a number of former Thai government scholarship recipients contacted her about their many similar cases.

“If you looked at the data from the Office of Educational Affairs, the number of students suffering mental health issues across all countries would likely reach hundreds”, she said.

She highlighted the government’s significant investment in education and the considerable amount of money spent on scholarships, but noted that, if students don’t receive the help they need, they might not be able to complete their studies or return to work for the country.

Dr. Keng believes that the government should establish a special agency to assist scholarship students facing mental health issues. This agency could provide counselling and support, ensuring that students can continue their studies and contribute to Thailand upon their return.

Investing in mental health makes sense from both the humanitarian and economic perspectives. Research by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) shows that for every £1 (~฿44) spent on mental health, up to £4 (~฿176) can be saved in the long run.

In November 2024, the lawsuit against Dr. Keng concluded, with the court ruling that Dr. Keng had not breached her scholarship contract. Nonetheless, she has been unable to return to work as a lecturer and is currently unemployed.

"It's such a waste to let these people to become homeless, instead of enabling them to contribute to society and become taxpayers. The government has invested a lot in them, and they can't simply be discarded like trash”, said Dr. Keng.