Editing Asian Institute of Technology (section)

== Transition to intergovernmental organization status==

===Approval of new charter===
In August 2010, a new "Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)" was adopted and signed by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand]].<ref name="mfa">{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/media-center/28/2191-The-Adoption-and-Signing-Ceremony-of-the-New-Charter-of-the-Asian-Institute-of-Technology-(AIT).html|title=Top Stories: The Adoption and Signing Ceremony of the New Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand|publisher=mfa.go.th|access-date=2014-04-12}}</ref> Signatories to the new charter included [[Seychelles]], [[Cambodia]], [[Japan]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Nepal]], [[Pakistan]], [[Sweden]], [[Timor-Leste]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Philippines]], [[India]], and [[UNIFEM]]. The new charter came into force on 30 January 2012 as Sweden, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal deposited their instruments of ratification with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

===Difficulties and return to old charter===
In 2012, Thailand declined to ratify the new charter, with the effect that the operations of AIT under the new intergovernmental charter resulted in the issuance of potentially invalid degrees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30192554|title = AIT students stage rally fearing degrees invalid|date = 17 October 2012}}</ref> In December 2012, AIT opted to return to its previous national charter and ceased operating as an intergovernmental university. The degrees issued by AIT under the new charter were reissued under the old charter to avoid the risk of being unrecognized under Thai law.<ref name="nationmultimedia">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/AIT-operations-back-to-normal-following-return-to--30206798.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220131136/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/AIT-operations-back-to-normal-following-return-to--30206798.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2013|title=AIT operations back to normal following return to 'old charter'|work=The Nation |publisher=nationmultimedia.com|access-date=2014-04-12}}</ref> However, it seems that the "Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)" remains legally in force without Thailand's participation and is in dormant status.<ref name="bangkokpost">{{cite web|title=AIT trustees to reissue degrees to students|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/news/326053/ait-trustees-to-re-issue-degrees-to-students|work=Bangkok Post|access-date=2014-04-12}}</ref>

===Listed among International Organizations by Thai Government===
AIT is listed among international organizations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Government.<ref>[http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/information/3009 I]|Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Government</ref>