The Thai language program at SAIS was established in 1997 as one of the required languages at the School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University.  The Thai language program at SAIS offers many courses throughout the year for the Southeast Asian Studies M.A. students.  The Thai language curriculum is a proficiency based, which is not course bound teaching.  Students who had previous language training can register in any courses based on the level of proficiency. Although Thai classes are primarily for MA students in SEA studies, students in other programs at SAIS and JHU may register with prior approval from Language Studies and Southeast Asian Studies. Students from the area universities (American, Georgetown, George Mason, and George Washington Universities) may enroll in the program on a case by case basis, but must seek approval from the SAIS- Southeast Asian Studies and Language Studies Departments.

Thai language classes are mainly held in the evening. The typical class time is between 5-9 depends on students' schedule and professors’ availability.  Each course is 5 credit hours with 5 hours meeting per week except Thai 301 and Thai 402 (Post proficiency) with 3 credit hours.  Students may request to take proficiency examination without taking classes at SAIS.  Students who start Thai 101 at SAIS must take at least 4 classes before requesting for proficiency examination.