International Doctoral Education in Thailand: A Critical Reflection on Cross-Cultural Learning at a Thai Public University, Bangkok

The internationalization of doctoral education has become central to global knowledge production, providing scholars with opportunities for cross-cultural engagement and academic development. Drawing upon personal experience as a doctoral candidate in a Thai public university international program, this paper examines the complexities of transnational doctoral study in Thailand. The analysis synthesizes firsthand observations with scholarly literature on international higher education, addressing four principal areas: curricular and pedagogical frameworks in Thai international doctoral programs, cross-cultural adaptation processes for international scholars, academic mentorship in transnational contexts, and the synthesis of global and local knowledge in research practice. Through integration of empirical insights with theoretical perspectives from scholars including Kaufman and Feldman (2004) and critical frameworks on cross-cultural academia, this paper evaluates strengths and opportunities for enhancement in international doctoral provision. The findings underscore the merit of educational philosophy combining craftsmanship with global perspectives, the importance of flexible learning structures for geographically distant scholars, and the necessity for strengthened academic support mechanisms to address linguistic and cultural challenges. This paper contributes to scholarship on international doctoral education in Southeast Asia, offering implications for universities seeking to enhance transnational learning experiences and for scholars pursuing cross-cultural academic trajectories.