I sometimes get asked about places to do theological studies in English here in Thailand but unfortunately there are not many options... largely because most people in Thailand don't speak much English. Most Bible colleges and seminaries in Thailand offer instruction in the Thai language only.

However, the following schools offer English-language theological studies courses within Thailand, mostly on a modular basis (i.e. instructors fly in for one to two week intensive courses in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or some other large city)

Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary - Th.M and Th.D

Asia Graduate School of Theology Alliance - MA, M.Th, Ph.D, some of which have course offerings in Thailand. Other courses are in other nearby Asian countries

Asia Biblical Theological Seminary - MA in Religious Education, and MA in Bible, Theology, & Ministry. This school is associated with Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.

Biola University - Cook School of International Studies - Chiang Mai Extension - MA in Intercultural Studies, D.Miss, and Ph.D in Intercultural Studies or Intercultural Education. The entire MA and D.Miss programs can be completed in Chiang Mai, but only half of the Ph.D can be completed there. The other half must be done through summer intensives at Biola's campus in La Mirada, California, USA.

Fuller Theological Seminary - Chiang Mai Extension Program - D.Min in Ministry and Leadership in Asian Contexts

Bangkok Theological Institute - This is an extension program of the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio, Philippines. This is an English language Assemblies of God school with an extension campus in Hua Mak, Bang Kapi, Bangkok. They offer one masters level class per quarter, taught by APTS or Assemblies of God Theological Seminary teachers. For information on the classes in Bangkok, contact Leely Lee at +66 (0) 2732-3553.

Global Theological Seminary (GTS) - interdenominational school offering M.Th and D.Th courses in English in various Southeast Asian locations, taught as 2 week intensive courses.  Courses taught largely by Korean professors who fly in to teach the short-term courses. GTS Facebook Page.

Distance Education Degree Programs

If you are interested in doing formal theological studies while living in Thailand, please check the websites above for more information. Other than these, you need to have Thai language ability or look into doing distance education courses online in English, such as those offered by Reformed Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, or Third Millennium Ministries/Birmingham Theological Seminary(free for non-U.S. residents).

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This is difficult question because, as a non-native speaker, we will always be learning Thai.  But for practical purposes, it took about six months to get to a basic conversational level on some everyday topics, and about one to two years to begin to share the Gospel, pray, and enter into some deeper issues.  Starting at about the three year mark, I (Karl) started to preach in Thai.

Reformed literature in Thai is very hard to find.  If we define the term "Reformed" somewhat broadly, then some Reformed titles may be found at various Thai Christian publishers and bookshops.  To order, please follow the links below or contact one of the Thai Christian bookshops listed on my FAQ page.

Available from Kanok Bannasan (OMF Publishers Thailand):

• The Prodigal God by Tim Keller
• Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
• Thai Christian Catechism by Natee Tanchanpongs, Karl Dahlfred, and Chaiyasit Suebthayat (see here for English overview)
• 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper
• Self-Image: How to Overcome Inferiority Judgments (Resources for Biblical Living) by Lou Priolo
• Today's Gospel by Walter Chantry
• The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul
• Concise Theology by J.I. Packer

Available from Other Publishers:

• The Gospel by Ray Ortlund (9marks)
• The Pastor and Counseling by Jeremy Pierre & Deepak Reju (9marks)
• Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
• Multiplying Churches by Steve Timmis et al (see Amazon for English edition, but contact Dave Voetberg to get the Thai edition)

Available for free online:

• The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Thai can be downloaded here.
• The Heidelberg Catechism in Thai can be downloaded here.
• Third Millenium Ministries has also begun to translate their seminary-level training materials into Thai