Patthapong revealed that the Civil Aviation Training Institute ranks first among state universities in the country for aviation, elevating itself to a global aviation and training center.
Mr. Patthapong Patrapasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, announced and praised the success of the Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI) upon receiving the ranking as "The Most Popular State University in Aviation in Thailand for 2025" in the fields of aviation, aviation business, and aviation technology. This ranking, from Thailand Education Ranking (TER) website, saw CATI rise from second place in 2024 to first in 2025, reflecting growing confidence and recognized quality in education management both nationally and internationally.
Mr. Patthapong added that this ranking confirms over 65 years of CATI's continuous success in producing professionals for the aviation industry. It has upgraded its infrastructure to meet international standards as a World-Class Aviation Training Hub by developing the Hua Hin flight training center, acquiring training aircraft, simulators, and modern laboratories. CATI also integrates cooperation between government and private sectors, linking education, internships, and employment concretely to support government and Ministry of Transport policies aiming to establish Thailand as an aviation hub and a global aviation training center under six main policy directions.
Currently, CATI is a leading aviation educational institution in the region, accredited by major global organizations. It is Thailand's first to receive certification as a Foreign EASA Part-147 Ground Technician Training Institute and Testing Center from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It also holds air traffic control course certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) via the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). CATI is the first and only institution in Thailand with this accreditation and holds the highest-level Trainair Plus Platinum Membership, one of only five in Asia and twelve worldwide among aviation institutions.
Mr. Patthapong concluded that the people of CATI are key to developing the nation's aviation industry with specialized knowledge and international experience. CATI has a strong foundation in producing pilots, aircraft technicians, air traffic controllers, and aviation safety personnel. The upcoming renovation of the Hua Hin flight training center in Prachuap Khiri Khan province will further enhance its capacity to train personnel that meet the needs of the modern aviation industry.
Dr. Waraporn Temkaew, Acting Governor and Deputy Governor for Administration of CATI, stated that the institute has increased Thailand’s competitiveness on the global stage. CATI continues to develop new curricula and Reskill/Upskill programs to support modern and future aviation technologies such as drones, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), seaplanes, aviation cybersecurity, and airport digital management. These efforts aim to sustainably position Thailand as a leading aviation training hub in the Asia-Pacific region and to advance Thai professionals into the global aviation market, improving opportunities and quality of life.
The Thailand Education Ranking (TER) website, which conducted this ranking, is a platform recommending leading educational institutions in Thailand. The "Most Popular Universities in Thailand 2025" ranking uses three rigorous criteria:
1. Measuring popularity based on votes from students and the public nationwide (data collected from May to December, with results announced from February to April each year).
2. Categorizing data by university type (state, private, Rajabhat universities).
3. Analyzing by fields of study according to student interest in each professional area.
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