ABSTRACT:
This study examines the influence of family, peers, and agents on Thai
students’ choices of international education. A qualitative phase indicated that influence
from family can be slotted into one of five categories: finance, information, expectation,
persuasion, and competition. On the other hand, peers and agents can influence students’
choices by way of three major influencing types; information, competition and
persuasion. The analyses indicate that various people affect and psychologically support
the decision-making process of Thai students. Subsequent quantitative analysis
demonstrated that financial support and information from agents are key influencing
factors. The analysis suggests that the older the Thai student, the less the impact of family
influence on their choices of international education, and the greater the effect of peers’
influence. The study confirms that the choice of international education is not a one-step
decision-making process. Each choice can be influenced by different sources in various
ways.
