The Institute of East Asian Studies (IEAS), Thammasat University under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn was initially established as the Japanese Studies Group within Thammasat University in 1981 Two years later in 1983, the University decided to upgrade the Japanese Studies Group to the Institute of Japanese Studies with a status of a division attached directly to the Office of the Rector of Thammasat University. The Ministry of University Affairs was granted, on December 20, 1983, with the advice that the scope of the studies be extended beyond Japan to cover other countries in the East Asian region as well. The Institute of Japanese Studies would henceforth be recognised as the Institute of East Asian Studies, comprising programs for Japanese, Korean and Chinese studies. The establishment of the Institute of East Asian Institute was announced in the Government Gazette as required by law on April 11, 1984.             The above activities continue during the Second Phase of the Japan Foundation Support (1991-1995). During this second phase, several additional programs or activities have been included such as the organization of the annual conferences into national and international categories, the training of the provincial high school teachers on Japanese studies, the invitation of researchers from neighbouring countries to Thailand to study the role of Japan in the development of Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia, and continuation of the Japanese visiting professorship program.             The Japanese government enthusiastically Japanese studies at Thammasat University by a grant of baht 115 million for the construction of the Japanese Studies Center Complex at Rangsit Centes at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani Province, about 25 km. North of the Bangkok Airport. The Japanese Studies Center Complex is a classical Japanese styled building with facilities for research as well as teaching activities including an auditorium, language lab, audiovisual room, seminar rooms, researcher rooms, offices for administrative staff, and 30 twin-bed rooms to be used as hostel. Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn graciously laid the foundation stone of the Japanese Studies Center Complex on March 17, 1985. When completed one year later, this Japanese Studies Center Complex became the head office of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Thammasat University, and while the research and other academic activities of the Institute have been broadened beyond Japan, Japanese studies are still by far the largest activities of the Institute.          In the earlier years, the IEAS had some difficulties in promoting Japanese studies because of the lack of funds. From 1986, However, the IEAS had received its first of the 5-year inclusive grants from the Japan Foundation to conduct and carry out several activities of the Center. During this first phase of the assistance from the Japan Foundation (1986-1990), the IEAS succeeded in promoting interdisciplinary academic activities in the research area. The administration of the Center during this period was also interdisciplinary where scholars from various faculties inside Thammasat University as well as outside were drawn into several committees of the Center. Overall, the academic and other activities of the information Center included Japanese language teaching, research, seminars, library and information services, cultural, academic exchanges, and publication services which included the Thai-Japanese Monitoring Newsletter, the Journal of Japanese Studies, and occasional books and monographs on or concerning Japan and other countries in East Asia.