# Tapee University

> private university in Surat Thani, Thailand

**Wikidata**: [Q2393562](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2393562)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapee_College)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tapee-university

## Summary  
Tapee University is a private university located in Surat Thani, Thailand. Originally established as Tapee College in 1999, it was officially upgraded to university status in August 2012. The institution is named after the Tapi River and serves as a center for higher education in the southern region of Thailand.

## Key Facts  
- Founded on February 26, 1999, initially as Tapee College  
- Upgraded to university status on August 14, 2012  
- Located in Makham Tia, Surat Thani, Thailand  
- Geographic coordinates: Latitude 9.12641667, Longitude 99.31818611  
- Named after the Tapi River  
- Official website: [http://www.tapee.ac.th/](http://www.tapee.ac.th/)  
- Also known as Tapee College (former name)  
- Institution identifiers: ROR ID 047vj8n35, GRID ID grid.444196.a, KISTI ID K000205919, SNARC ID Lasnigo, Ringgold ID 250056  

## FAQs  
### Q: Where is Tapee University located?  
A: Tapee University is located in Makham Tia, Surat Thani, Thailand. It is situated in the southern part of the country and serves the local educational needs of the region.

### Q: When was Tapee University founded?  
A: Tapee University was originally founded on February 26, 1999, under the name Tapee College. It received university status on August 14, 2012.

### Q: Is Tapee University public or private?  
A: Tapee University is a private academic institution. It operates independently and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields.

## Why It Matters  
Tapee University plays a significant role in expanding access to higher education in southern Thailand. As one of the few private universities in the Surat Thani area, it contributes to regional development by offering academic programs tailored to local economic and social needs. Its transition from college to university reflects its growing capacity and commitment to academic excellence. By providing opportunities for students who may otherwise relocate to major cities for education, Tapee University supports community growth and talent retention in the region.

## Notable For  
- Transitioning from a college to a full-fledged university in 2012  
- Being one of the prominent private institutions in southern Thailand  
- Named after the culturally and geographically significant Tapi River  
- Offering localized educational services in Makham Tia, Surat Thani  
- Holding multiple international academic registry IDs including ROR, GRID, and Ringgold  

## Body  
### History and Founding  
Tapee University was founded on February 26, 1999, as Tapee College. It began operations with a focus on serving the educational needs of Surat Thani and surrounding provinces. In August 2012, the institution was officially recognized as a university, marking a significant milestone in its institutional development.

### Institutional Status  
From 1999 to 2012, the institution operated as a college. On August 14, 2012, it was reclassified as a university. This change reflected expanded academic offerings, infrastructure improvements, and administrative maturity.

### Location and Geography  
The university is located in Makham Tia, a district within Surat Thani Province. Its geographic coordinates are 9.12641667° N (latitude) and 99.31818611° E (longitude). Surat Thani is a key province in southern Thailand, and the university's location supports accessibility for students across the region.

### Naming  
Tapee University is named after the Tapi River, which flows through Surat Thani. The river holds cultural and historical importance in the region, symbolizing continuity and life—values echoed in the university’s mission.

### Academic Identity  
As a private university, Tapee University offers programs primarily at the undergraduate level, with some graduate options. It is registered in several global academic databases, including:
- Research Organization Registry (ROR): 047vj8n35  
- Global Research Identifier Database (GRID): grid.444196.a  
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI): K000205919  
- SNARC (Lasnigo)  
- Ringgold: 250056  

These registrations support its recognition in academic and research networks internationally.

## References

1. Open ISNI for Organizations
2. Google Knowledge Graph
3. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions