The establishment of international colleges in public universities has been part of a deliberate national strategy to modernize higher education in Thailand since the 1990s. These colleges use English as the medium of instruction, employ many international faculty, and promote more Western approaches to teaching and learning such as student-centered education. In addition, international colleges have served a more symbolic role. They serve as markers of civilization and sophistication, a symbol to be cultivated for the purpose of elevating one's status in an already deeply divided Thai society. This narrative case study aims to situate Thailand's first public university international college in a long-standing historical framework characterized by paradoxes and prejudices deeply rooted in Thai society. Stories are collected from members of the executive leadership of the college. It is argued that the themes emerging from the leadership narrative are consistent with the historical framework.