The Ministry of Labor is addressing the issue of 25,000 unemployed new graduates despite finding over 310,000 job vacancies. It has partnered with 35 leading companies to develop workforce skills that align with market demands and to upgrade the “Thai Mee Ngan Tum” platform.
On 18 July 2026 GMT+7, Captain Phatdarasmit Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that the government, through the Ministry of Labor, prioritizes solving employment problems for new graduates and developing the workforce to match business sector needs. Data from the Ministry's “Thai Mee Ngan Tum” platform shows there are currently over 311,983 accumulated job vacancies, yet more than 25,000 bachelor’s degree graduates remain job seeking, reflecting a skill mismatch between workers and market demands.
The Deputy Spokesperson stated that this situation aligns with the Thai Social Conditions Report by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, which notes that most unemployed individuals who have never worked before hold higher education degrees, and many long-term unemployed are aged 20 to 29. This highlights that developing workforce skills to keep pace with technological changes and new industries is a key challenge requiring cooperation across all sectors.
He added that the Ministry of Labor is intensifying concrete collaboration with the private sector, having consulted with 35 leading companies to promote the ‘Public-Private Partnership for Developing a High-Skill Workforce.’ This initiative uses employer needs as the basis for workforce development (upskilling and reskilling), giving job seekers, especially new graduates, opportunities to find jobs matching their potential and to grow in their careers.
The Deputy Spokesperson further explained that besides workforce skill development, the Ministry is advancing the “Thai Mee Ngan Tum” platform to serve as a central hub linking job vacancy information and business skill requirements. This aims to improve job matching efficiency, reduce labor shortages, and enable government training programs to be precisely tailored to labor market needs. The Ministry is also considering legal and benefit reforms that support future employment.
“The government believes that solving unemployment starts with matching people to jobs, not merely increasing the number of job positions. It is essential to elevate Thai workforce skills to be ready for new industries and high-value investments, thereby creating stable employment, appropriate incomes, and enhancing the country’s long-term competitiveness,” he said.
Those seeking jobs and employers wishing to post vacancies on the “Thai Mee Ngan Tum” website can contact any provincial employment office, the Bangkok Metropolitan Employment Offices 1-10, or call the Department of Employment hotline at 1506 press 2 for more information.