During the period of the fifth National Economic and Social Development Plan, the Royal Thai Government promoted the creation of higher education opportunities to the regional and rural areas. Thus, in 1984, the Ministry of University Affairs proposed the establishment of five new regional universities: one each in the North, South and the East; and two in the Northeast. In the Northeast, in particular, the Ministry proposed colleges affiliated with Khon Kaen University at Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces. The college at Nakhon Ratchasima would be called Suranaree College? Its site would be the 1,120 hectare area of dilapidated forest in the Huay Yang Reservoir, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima.
Not much later, the Royal Thai Government, headed by General Chatichai Choonhavan as Prime Minister, realized the urgency in establishing more universities in the region in response to national development needs. On 13 September 1988, the Cabinet resolved to upgrade the five regional colleges to independent Universities. The Cabinet also appointed the Suranaree University Establishment Committee with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of University Affairs then (Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an) as the Chair.
The Committee submitted the Suranaree University of Technology Establishment Project to the Cabinet. The draft of the Suranaree University of Technology Establishment Bill was brought before Parliament in its 1989 session. On 27 July 1990, His Majesty the King signed the Bill into effect. Announced in the Royal Gazette, the Law became effective on 30 July 1990. Suranaree University of Technology thus adopted 27 July 1990 as its Founding Day.