Recognizing the ascendant role of Southeast Asia in economics and politics, San Diego State University is expanding its summer education schedule this year with a program in Thailand.

A rare destination for most Americans – with its postcard images of ornate Buddhist temples, Bangkok's night life and the contrast of rich and poor – Thailand also is an emergent democracy with an aspirant middle class and one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia.

"There's a feeling at the top at SDSU that Americans need more exposure to the world; I'm trying to put Asia on the map," said Allen Wittenborn, a professor in the Asia Pacific studies department at SDSU.

Most of SDSU's summer programs are focused in Europe and Latin America. The expansion into Asia continues SDSU's recent emphasis on international education for more students.

"No matter how good our classrooms are, there's no substitute for really living and working in another culture," said SDSU's provost, Nancy Marlin.

With so many policy issues transcending borders, she said, SDSU already requires international business majors to spend at least a semester abroad. The school also is introducing a triple major program that will require study in Mexico and Chile in addition to San Diego.

The school has had a summer program in China and is offering an entire academic year in Japan and in China.

Even the shorter, six-week summer program can provide a rich opportunity for more people who have less time to travel abroad, and the experience can be valuable throughout a student's life and career, Wittenborn said.

It also affords a look at the world from a perspective beyond the United States, he said. "That's really important," he said. "And it's fun."

In June and July, as many as two dozen students will pay about $3,300 each to live at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and take classes for credit taught by Thais. The courses will explore local and regional politics and business, Buddhism and some Thai language. The students will meet with political, business and military leaders.

"I'm convinced Thailand in all of Southeast Asia is on the cutting edge of being the political and economic leader there," Wittenborn said. "The point is to make contact with the movers and shakers of Thailand."

The Kingdom of Thailand – the nation has a king, who is revered by the Thai people – dates to the 13th century, and it is the only country in the region not to have been colonized by European powers.

In the 1990s, it left behind a period of military rulers and adopted a new constitution. It maintains warm relations with the United States that trace their recent roots to the Vietnam War, when Thailand was a recreation spot for U.S. troops. And, Wittenborn noted, Bangkok is clean, inexpensive and safe.

"It's a pretty sophisticated culture, really," Wittenborn said. "Things work well."

For summer 2005, Wittenborn hopes to launch a program in Malaysia, Thailand's developing, Islamic neighbor to the south.