Founded in 1992, Walailak University (Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยวลัยลักษณ์) is a public university located in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. Although state funded, Walailak University is given a high level of autonomy, unusual among Thai public universities. The university was named after Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak. First-year undergraduate students gain admission under the quota system for secondary school graduates from the 14 southern provinces or by the national entrance examination administered by the Ministry of Education. Under the quota system secondary school graduates who fulfill the academic criteria set by the university gain admission without having to sit the entrance examination. Other students are admitted on the basis of their marks gained in the national examination. Walailak University is organized into 11 schools and faculties: The natural symbol of the university is the shady Praduu tree (Pterocarpus indicus Willd.) which grows in abundance in the southern forests. Orange is the colour for Thursday which is the day of the week on which Her Royal Highness Princess Chulapornwalailak was born.