Ratphum College is located at 414, Moo 14, Phetkasem Road, Tha Chamuang Sub-district, Ratphum District, Songkhla Province, covering an area of 161 rai, 2 ngan, and 49.6 square wah. The area was initially designated as a reserved forest, but later, Songkhla Agricultural School utilized the land to establish agricultural education. In 1962, under the direction of Director Kul Marugathat, the Southern Technical College was assigned by the Department of Vocational Education to take over the management of the area from Songkhla Agricultural School. After several site surveys, the responsibility for assessing the readiness for industrial vocational education was assigned to Assistant Director Watcharin Sangchan. Consequently, in 1964, the Southern Technical College expanded its educational offerings from the Vocational Certificate (Por Wor Chor) level to the Higher Vocational Certificate (Por Wor Sor) level. Instructor Wanta Prutthikanee and the Mechanical Engineering Department’s team conducted another site survey, leading to the opening of two departments: Agricultural Machinery and Automotive Engineering, with Instructor Piyarat Boonpathum serving as the department head.
In 1966, Instructor Fong Wongchana took over as the department head. By 1975, the Southern Technical College of Songkhla was renamed “Southern Campus of Technology and Vocational Education Institute.” In 1979, after Instructor Fong Wongchana left for further studies, Director Natthaporn Sangkhawasi appointed Instructor Chairat Sangchan as the department head. In 1987, the Ministry of Education sought royal permission to rename the institution. His Majesty the King graciously granted the new name “Rajamangala Institute of Technology” on September 15, 1988, and the institution was subsequently renamed “Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Southern Campus, Songkhla.” In 1993, Instructor Pichit Kaewjang was appointed as the head of the Agricultural Machinery Department.
In 2000, Director Pitaya Sinthavalai of Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Southern Campus, Songkhla, implemented a policy to expand the Agricultural Machinery Department by increasing student enrollment. This led to the introduction of the Business Administration program at the Vocational Certificate level, managed by Instructor Phan Singhadetcha. In 2001, Director Chandamrong Na Nakorn directed a study on the feasibility of offering a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Mechanization, a two-year continuing program, which was eventually launched in 2002. In 2003, Instructor Sathaporn Khunphet succeeded Instructor Pichit Kaewjang as the head of the Agricultural Machinery and Agricultural Mechanization Departments.
In 2005, the Rajamangala University of Technology Act was enacted, resulting in the separation of the Rajamangala Institute of Technology into nine universities. The Southern Campus, Songkhla, was elevated to “Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya,” with Associate Professor Pracheep Chuphan as the first President. The administration aimed to further develop the Agricultural Machinery Department.
In 2006, the department was upgraded to the Ratphum College Establishment Project, offering education in industrial engineering and business administration. On July 25, 2008, the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya Council resolved to upgrade the Establishment Project to “Ratphum College,” appointing Instructor Sathaporn Khunphet as the Director. He managed the college until 2016. In 2017, Instructor Panumas Suibangdam took over as Director and continues to serve in this role to the present day.
At present, Ratphum College, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya offers education at two levels:
Business Administration: Accounting, Digital Marketing, Digital Business Technology
- Bachelor’s Degree:
- Industrial Engineering: Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Applied Artificial Intelligence Engineering
- Business Administration: Bachelor of Accounting
- Higher Vocational Certificate (Por Wor Sor):
- Industrial Engineering: Automotive Mechanics, Electrical Mechanics
- Business Administration: Accounting, Digital Marketing, Digital Business Technology
