Deputy PM Orders University Admissions Authority to Freeze TCAS Application Fees, Expands Free A-Level Exam Rights to 7 Subjects
Thailand's Deputy PM has frozen university entrance exam application fees for another year and expanded free A-Level exam opportunities to seven subjects, while introducing new portfolio standards to reduce educational inequality in higher
Creating Equal TCAS Access! Deputy PM orders University Admissions Authority to freeze TCAS application fees at current rates for one additional year and expand free A-Level exam rights to a maximum of 7 subjects, while introducing "TCASFolio" to improve the selection system and reduce educational inequality.
On April 26, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yossakon Wongsuwan unveiled higher education policies to the Conference of Rectors of Thai Universities to guide institutional operations in alignment with national strategy and ministerial policies. The announcement was attended by senior officials including Supchai Patumnak, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education; Dr. Srinyada Palimaphand, Advisor to the Minister; and Wileash Burivatch, Chairman of the Conference of Rectors and Rector of Chulalongkorn University, along with leaders from other higher education institutions at NIDA's conference hall.
Yossakon stated that consultations with the University Admissions Authority concluded on three main points for creating "Equal TCAS":
1. Maintaining current TCAS application fee rates for one additional year despite prior plans to increase them, while providing budget support for free TGAT/TPAT exams (rounds 1-5). The government will additionally offer free A-Level examinations for up to 7 subjects at 100 baht per subject (maximum 700 baht) and free registration for the third admission round at 7 universities. The portfolio round application fee will be reduced by 25% for students in the educational equity fund system to expand equal opportunities for selection.
2. Improving the portfolio selection round through "TCASFolio," a standardized system for portfolio preparation and submission designed to reduce unnecessary burdens and prevent commercial portfolio production services. A parallel "TCAS Verified" system will enable source organizations to directly verify activity information, enhancing data reliability and preventing falsification. Universities will be urged to balance portfolio round admissions at an average not exceeding 30% to preserve opportunities for all applicant groups. Selection criteria that impose excessive burdens or create inequality—such as mandatory published research or high-cost activities—will be reviewed and replaced with criteria measuring potential relevant to each field of study.
3. Implementing systematic risk management oversight across all stages from exam development, quality checks, and data processing to public communication to ensure proper, transparent operations and public confidence. The process will continue accepting and considering post-exam appeals as part of quality assurance, with feedback reviewed by experts to verify exam accuracy, answer keys, and grading criteria before official score announcements, ensuring fair measurement of students' true potential.
Wileash noted that the University Admissions Authority is currently compiling data on portfolio admission proportions across faculties to establish joint policies moving forward and is considering adjusting procedural sequences.
