On-campus Accommodation

Dorms, residential halls, student rooms by the classroom

When it comes to dormitories, opinions are clear – one half of the students says ‘good idea’, the other half says ‘never’. Well, here in Thailand that may be influenced by the fact that for many students the parents make all the relevant decisions, often even without asking the student. Adult life begins often at the day of university graduation in Thailand, and not an instant earlier.

So, how is it for foreign students in a dorm? Firstly, please be aware that ‘dorm’ can mean anything, from 22 p.m. curfew with check whether you are indeed in your room (and alone, of course), up to a 4-starred hotel on the campus, and anything in-between. When you come to our table below, you will see that we used the terms that the universities use themselves to describe their student accommodation.

When we are asked for recommendation, we have mixed feelings. Is it safer to stay in a dorm? Well, that depends on what safety you mean. Is a young girl or an immature boy safer in a dorm? Book shops are full of dormitory love story books, right?

Proximity to the classroom may be a reason, especially on a campus that is in the middle of nowhere, i.e. far away from residential areas. To avoid time and cost of commuting travel, some may prefer to life on campus. The same is valid for researchers who want to fully concentrate on their work and get rid of all the disturbances that come along with everyday living environments – but that’s for the time of their research, usually, and not for the rest of their lives (well, exceptions confirm the rules).

The cost may be another reason, but dormitories appear affordable only to those students who don’t know the market prices of off-campus accommodation. Even if they are a bit cheaper, are they worth giving up your independence?

You may guess it – the author of the Web site belongs to the ‘never’ group. However, some students are happy to live in a dorm, so be it. Choose wisely!