Introduction
Chiang Mai University has established comprehensive support programmes to address poverty reduction and enable students from economically vulnerable backgrounds to complete their university education successfully. The university provides integrated support systems covering food security, housing, transportation, and emergency financial assistance, ensuring that no student experiences deprivation that would impede their educational progress.
Emergency Financial Relief Through Token to Care
The Token to Care programme delivers immediate support for students experiencing urgent financial crises. Students facing emergencies such as lost money or delayed remittances can access meal tokens valued at 100 baht per day through the CMU Mobile application. This digital intervention provides free support for up to five consecutive days without repayment requirements, directly addressing food insecurity. From fiscal years 2566-2568, the programme processed 7,505 applications, approved 4,547 requests, and disbursed 1,213,873 baht to 3,440 individual students experiencing economic hardship, demonstrating sustained commitment to poverty alleviation.
Free Transportation Services Eliminating Mobility Barriers
CMU Transit operates comprehensive free shuttle services across all campuses, removing transportation costs that create barriers for low-income students. Battery-powered buses and vans serve the main Suan Sak Campus (7:00 AM-10:00 PM), Suan Dok Campus (7:00 AM-9:30 PM, 15-minute frequency), and Mae Hea Campus (7:00 AM-8:30 PM, 30-minute frequency). This zero-cost transportation infrastructure ensures students from impoverished backgrounds can access classes, libraries, and facilities without financial burden, while real-time tracking enables convenient journey planning
Affordable Housing With Essential Facilities
The university provides extremely low-cost dormitory accommodation at 2,200-2,400 baht per semester, with utility fees of 500 baht per semester. Male dormitories (buildings 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and female dormitories (buildings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) eliminate homelessness risks for economically disadvantaged students. Rooms include essential furniture (bed, wardrobe, desk, clothes rack), enabling students to live with dignity despite financial constraints.
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Conclusion
Chiang Mai University’s multi-layered support infrastructure creates an enabling environment where economically disadvantaged students can focus on academic achievement rather than survival. By providing free transportation, affordable housing, emergency food assistance, and legal services, the university actively removes barriers to educational completion and promotes social mobility for vulnerable populations.
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