Walailak University is 26 years on 29th March 2018. However, a movement by the locals to have a university in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province started some 50 years ago, in 1967. But it took 12 years before Members of the Parliament from Nakhon Si Thammarat first proposed to the Parliament in 1979 legislation to establish a university in the province. A stronger momentum gathered five years later in 1984 when a group of influential locals of Nakhon Si Thammarat set up "A Group to Campaign for a University in Nakhon Si Thammarat." Finally, in April 1990, the Cabinet passed a resolution to establish a university in Nakhon Si Thammarat formally. In February 1992, the late King, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, named the University "Walailak University," after the second name of his youngest daughter, Princess Chulabhorn Walailak.On the 29th March 1992, the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej formally approved the legislation establishing Walailak University. Thus, the 29th of March became the Foundation Day of the University. On 23rd May 1998, some 70 high school leavers, most of whom were from Nakhon Si Thammarat and neighboring provinces, enrolled in their classes as Walailak University students. And, five days later, on 28th May 1998, the first class began!
Walailak University is designed as a comprehensive university (with a variety of fields of study) to serve the people of Thailand. Walailak University graduates are expected to have practical intelligence, adversary quotient, Liberal Arts perspective, and technology competence, all integrated with high morals. All activities are designed to enhance Walailak University’s uniqueness in its ultimate goal to become “The Education Park of ASEAN” where all the global citizens can find the riches in the knowledge, wisdom, and culture.