Since the establishment of the Bajrakitiyabha Fund for Legal Education in 2007, eighteen Thai legal professionals have pursued Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees at Cornell Law School. This is one of the key outcomes of the cooperation under the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Cornell Law School in the United States and The Thai Bar Under Royal Patronage.
In 2017, the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) joined the Memorandum of Agreement, further strengthening the partnership to promote academic exchange and knowledge sharing in support of the development of Thailand’s justice system.
“Each partner brings a distinct strength. Cornell contributes intellectual rigor, comparative perspectives, and a global scholarly community. The Thai Bar connects the program to Thailand’s legal profession and the next generation who will become an important part of its future. TIJ builds on academic knowledge to support the development of the justice system, professional practice, and international cooperation.” Prof. Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak, Chairman of the Board of the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) and a member of the Executive Committee of the Bajrakitiyabha Fund for Legal Education, The Thai Bar Under Royal Patronage, delivered these remarks at the latest signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on September 1, 2026, at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York, USA.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed at Myron Taylor Hall, Cornell Law School, by Jens David Ohlin, Dean of Cornell Law School; Adisak Tantiwong, President of the Supreme Court of Thailand, in his capacity as President of The Thai Bar Under Royal Patronage and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Bajrakitiyabha Fund for Legal Education; and Prof. Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak.
Following the signing, officials from the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York, members of the Thai delegation, and Cornell Law School faculty members joined a Tribute Honoring the Memory of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha. The tribute opened with remarks by Dean Jens David Ohlin, followed by a recorded video message from Professor Stewart Schwab, former Dean of Cornell Law School. Professor Brad Wendel, Edwin H. Woodruff Professor of Law; Prof. Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak; and Ms. Somjai Taphaopong, Consul General in New York, representing the Royal Thai Government, then delivered tributes honoring Her Royal Highness’s enduring legacy and contributions to the legal field.
During the visit to Cornell University, a representative of the Thai delegation also delivered a lecture titled “Technology, Courts, and Access to Justice: Thailand’s Path toward a More Inclusive Judiciary.” The lecture was delivered by Napakamol Havanond Sawangchaeng, Judge of the Court of First Instance attached to the Office of the President of the Supreme Court and Coordinator of the Bajrakitiyabha Fund for Legal Education, The Thai Bar Under Royal Patronage, with Cornell University faculty members and students attending the lecture and participating in the discussion.
The delegation also visited the Bloomberg Center at Cornell Tech Campus, where they received an introduction to Cornell Tech and attended a lecture on “Technology and Access to Justice” by Professor David Reiss, Clinical Professor of Law and Research Director of the Blassberg-Rice Center on Entrepreneurship Law at Cornell. Professor Reiss shared his perspectives and experience on the application of technology to promote access to justice, providing insights relevant to the development of Thailand’s justice system and efforts to make justice more accessible to the public.
The Bajrakitiyabha Fund for Legal Education was established under the governance of The Thai Bar Under Royal Patronage. In 2006, Royal Permission was granted to name the Fund after Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, when Her Royal Highness held the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, in commemoration of Her Royal Highness’s time as a student at Cornell University.
The Memorandum of Agreement is renewed every five years to promote the continued exchange of knowledge and experience in the fields of law and the justice system.
Those interested in applying through the competitive selection process for the Bajrakitiyabha Fund Scholarship for Legal Education can find further information on the official website of The Thai Bar Under Royal Patronage.
