1954

     Established in 1954, Thammasat University’s department of journalism is the first academic institution in Thailand to offer a bachelor’s degree program in journalism. As announced in the Government Gazette, vol.71, section 11 on February 9, 1954 regarding the establishment of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Social Administration, the principle criteria of its foundation is to advance education in social administration and journalism subjects up to international standard which is compatible with institution in other countries. Thus, Thammasat University Act, Section 8, B.E. 2495 and the Royal Decree, Section 3 authorized an establishment of Faculty of Social Administration in 1954.

     Consequently, Thammasat University Council had issued an order to divide academic units within the Faculty of Social Administration into two main departments - social administration and journalism. Both newly divided departments commenced their classes in academic year 1954. (In accordance with Thammasat University’s Order on the division of Faculty of Social Administration’s academic units, B.E. 2497, announced on February 17, 1954). Professor Pich Rapipan was appointed the head of Journalism Department, Faculty of Social Administration.

The department offered 3 degree programs - Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Doctoral degree.

     Successful completion of all courses in bachelor’s degree program in Journalism will be awarded Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism (B.A.).

     Successful completion of all courses in master’s degree program in Journalism will be awarded Master of Arts degree in Journalism (M.A.)

     Successful completion of all courses in doctoral degree program in Journalism will be awarded Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.)

     The symbolic color of the Faculty of Journalism is “plum mango seed purple”.

1966

     In the academic year 1966, Thammasat University Council granted an approval for Faculty of Social Administration to open new evening class curriculum - newspaper studies, in order to elevate the accredited status of professional journalists, to advance mass media studies in newspaper subject, as well as to broaden education service. It was a three-year program. Upon successful completion of all the course work, a student was awarded a certificate in newspaper study.

1969

     In academic year 1969, the evening class curriculum of journalism department went through a major transformation. The newspaper studies’ evening class applications were repealed with regard to commence the bachelor’s degree program in that same academic year. It was a six year program. A student who successfully completed all the required courses was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism; granted all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto, exactly equivalent to those of the four-year program.

1970

     The studies in journalism subject had been continuously in advanced progression. Consequently, in 1970, department of journalism was promoted to a new status as the independent department of journalism and mass communication, as announced in the Government Gazette, Vol. 87, Section 116, dated December 15, B.E. 2513 in response to the Royal Decree on the establishment of independent department of journalism and mass communication, Thammasat University, B.E. 2513 issued on December 4, B.E. 2513

1979

     Studies in journalism field had progressed at a profound speed, as a result, the journalism and mass communication independent department was accredited “Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication” since 1979 - under the Royal Decree regarding academic degree titles designation and abbreviation, and academic dress code of Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University B.E. 2522 – issued on November 16, 1979. The Government Gazette, Vol. 96, Section 201, dated December 6, B.E. 2522; and Ministry of University Affairs announcement regarding Thammasat University’s administrative sectors – declared, “Secretary Office of Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication shall be established”, on November 26, 1979.

1991

     In 1991, the Royal Decree regarding academic degree titles, abbreviation of the degree, academic dress code, and academic pin for Thammasat University; combined degree titles designation and symbolic colors of both former and new departments under one Royal Decree. In this Royal Decree, the spelling of degree title had a minor change – the unvoiced mark ( ์ ) was left out of the last syllable. (The Royal Decree regarding Thammasat University academic degree title designation, abbreviation, academic dress code, and academic pin, B.E. 2534, issued on July 10, 1991; the Government Gazette, Vol.108, Section 122, dated July 11, B.E. 2534 (7).

Faculty of Journalism awards three levels of academic degree. The symbolic color of the faculty is as follow:

     (a) Doctoral degrees – designation “Doctor of Philosophy”, abbreviation Ph.D.

     (b) Master’s degree – designation “Master of Arts”, abbreviation M.A.

     (c) Bachelor’s degree – designation “Bachelor of Arts”, abbreviation B.A.

     Symbolic color of the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication is “plum mango seed purple”.

     A resolution had passed at the deans’ meeting 7/2533 held on April 2, 1990, that new faculties had to choose their symbolic color which must be different from established ones. And the established faculties also had to clearly identify their symbolic color. Therefore, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication’s committee had agreed in the general meeting 3/2533 chose ‘plum mango seed purple’ to be their symbolic color.

At present, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication offers 6 groups of subject as follows:

     1. Journalism

     2. Radio and Television

     3. Film and Photography

     4. Advertising

     5. Corporate Communication

     6. Communication Management

     Through education and research in extended variety of specializations within journalism and mass communication including newspaper, radio broadcasting, television broadcasting, film, advertising, public relations, as well as communication management; the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication is committed to preparing students to be leaders in mass communication fields, able to think critically, make thoughtful decision on social issues, and ultimately, be an ethical journalist who always use their skill and knowledge for the benefit of society at large.

     Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication is fully furnished with state of the art equipment and exemplary media laboratory, for example, Thammasat University radio station – A.M. Stereo 981 kHz. With radio transmitter power output 10 kilowatts, regularly broadcasting every Monday – Friday from 11:00 – 16:00 hr. On top of that, there are editing room, recording studio, broadcasting and television program production studio, film production studio, photography studio, print media studio, including newspaper studio which publish ‘University’ weekly gazette and ‘Yoong Thong’ semester magazine. These facilities enhance student’s opportunity to exercise their knowledge and gain good experience to excel in their future career.

     Graduates of Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication are found working in various organizations including the Government Public Relations Department, Thailand International Cooperation Agency, and public relations department of both government and business corporations. Our graduates are also professional journalists working for leading newspapers. They can also become news anchor on radio or television as well as advertisers, PRs, MCs, or entrepreneurs running their own businesses.