King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) was established with the aims to provide education, to promote research and development in science and technology for the industrial and economic development of Thailand, and to instill a desire to serve society in students.

The history of KMITL goes back to the establishment in 1960 of the Nondhaburi Telecommunications Training Centre with technical support from the Government of Japan, which later became the Nondhaburi Institute of Telecommunications.

In 1971, the Nondhaburi Institute of Telecommunications merged with Thonburi Technical College and North Bangkok Technical College in order to form the newly established King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology. In the following year, the Nondhaburi Campus was relocated to a 160 hectare site in Ladkrabang District of Bangkok and renamed the Ladkrabang Campus. The Campus began with two Faculties: the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Architecture.

In 1985, KMITL became a fully national university under the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang Act.

The Institute’s name was derived from the name of King Rama IV. The Royal Grand Crown seal has been graciously used as the symbol of the Institute.

The name "Chao Khun Taharn" has been used in honor of Chao Phya Surawong Waiyawat (Won Boonnak) of which the heiress, Liam ProtPitayaPayat, donated the land to establish the Institute.

Under the Ninth National Educational Development Plan during 2002 and 2006, KMITL’s principal aim is to provide education and to develop resources in order to gain academic excellency in science and technology as well as virtue, morality and the conservation of art and culture of the nation.
In addition, the statement of the Institute’s vision includes the leading institute in education and research in science and technology towards the international level.
At present, the Institute consists of 8 Faculties:
• Faculty of Engineering
Aims to produce higher quality engineers in different fields to serve society. The Faculty provides a theory and practice oriented background in the theory and application of modern engineering sciences. Modern laboratory and equipment are available for students at any degree levels. In addition, the faculty promotes and supports research activities in the field of engineering
• Faculty of Architecture
Aims to produce both qualified undergraduates and graduates in various fields of Architecture such as Architecture, Interior Architecture, Industrial Design, Fine Arts, Communication Arts and Design, Urban and Environmental Planning and Tropical Architecture.
• Faculty of Agricultural Technology
Produces qualified agricultural graduates in the fields of Plant Production Technology, Animal Production Technology, Agricultural Business Administration, Agricultural Development and Agricultural Industry. The qualified graduates have been the main driving force in Thai agricultural development.
• Faculty of Industrial Education
Aims to provide foundation courses such as languages, humanities and social science and to produce both undergraduates and graduates in various fields of education such as Industrial Education, Architecture Education, Engineering Education, and Agricultural Education.
• Faculty of Science
Responsible for providing foundation courses in science for some faculties in the Institute and for producing applied science graduates for careers in both private and government sectors. These academic responsibilities have made progress in science and technology oriented education which is essential to the country development.
• Faculty of Information Technology
Established with responsibility for producing graduates in the fields of Information Technology as needed by society in order to create strength and advantage in the informational age competition. The Faculty, moreover, focuses on the studies and research in information technology which is essential to society as a whole.
• School of Graduate Studies
Aims to coordinate with other faculties to produce graduates, to support and provide research projects and to contribute to the development of research.
• The Proposed Faculty of Agricultural Industry
Provides studying and teaching activities in the areas which are vital to the development of agricultural industry of the country. The Faculty also aims to offer foundation courses in science, food science and related technology in order to develop appropriate technology for agricultural product processing.
The Institute has two campuses. Chumporn Campus was founded at Pa-thiw District, Chumphon Province to extend academic development and opportunities to students and the provide academic services for the public in the nearby areas with the use of distance learning. Furthermore, the Proposed Rayong Campus aims to extend educational opportunities and to provide academic services to the community.