“Sabida” announced Bhumjaithai Party’s policy emphasizing “Equal Education Plus” with genuine free education and guaranteed employment, supporting “Senior Plus” with income and savings, and promoting one volunteer nurse per village to serve communities.
On 24 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture and Bhumjaithai Party member, took the stage to present the party’s vision during the 2026 election campaign policy announcement.
Ms. Sabida said she had heard since primary school that Thailand would become Asia’s fifth tiger economy. Yet more than 30 years later, this has not materialized, and Thailand remains stuck in the middle-income trap. The key to escaping this trap is enhancing labor skills alongside technology use, which requires serious investment in human capital. Human resources are the most valuable asset, especially education. The country can only progress if everyone has equal access to education.
However, access to education—particularly for low-income families, students, or workers seeking new skills—comes with learning expenses that worsen educational inequality. Structural education problems make it difficult for Thailand to move forward securely. Bhumjaithai Party therefore proposes “Equal Education Plus” to ensure truly free education with real job opportunities, accessible anytime and anywhere.
The first aspect of Equal Education Plus is opening doors to knowledge. Bhumjaithai proposes creating a free online learning platform—"1 Platform, 1,000,000 Knowledge"—offering modern, comprehensive education at all levels, accessible to all without internet fees.
The second aspect is Skill Bridge, a pathway to a better future. With rapid global changes, outdated skills no longer match today's world. Past education systems imposed fixed curricula without student choice, failing to meet labor market demands and leaving youth lacking needed skills.
Bhumjaithai’s solution is the Skill Bridge policy, developing a national Up Skill platform run by the government to elevate citizens’ skills. This policy focuses on three core pillars: 1. Skills 2. Employment 3. Income.
Importantly, all courses and skills on this platform will be co-designed by leading private companies and educational institutions, similar to Singapore’s model, providing clear pathways for job transitions and real income growth—changing the scenario from graduates facing unemployment to graduates securing jobs.
The third plus is the Credit Bank, which opens educational opportunities for Thai youth to learn across various fields without rigid boundaries. Courses will be on the online platform, and passing exams will earn credits accumulated in the Credit Bank. Once credits meet criteria set by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, formal qualifications will be awarded. This ensures true free education accessible anytime, anywhere. Bhumjaithai values everyone and aims to empower people to stand up and contribute to the nation.
The next policy is “Senior Plus,” focusing on comprehensive responses to an aging society. While views on the elderly vary, Bhumjaithai sees older adults as invaluable contributors. The party aims to systematically manage and promote employment for seniors, making them a vital national workforce. The Senior Plus policy includes four key measures:
1. Private sector hiring of seniors will qualify for double tax deductions, up to 30,000 baht based on actual wages. This benefits companies with tax incentives and increases senior employment.
2. Seniors aged 60 and above with annual income not exceeding 1.5 million baht will receive up to 50% tax deductions. This aids hundreds of thousands of elderly people, as National Statistical Office data shows two-thirds have no savings. Tax relief reduces expenses, increasing their savings for essential needs.
3. The “One Village, One Volunteer Nurse” measure offers 100,000 positions with 15,000 baht monthly salaries and minimum four-year contracts. It hires graduates in medical science, sports science, nursing, or related fields to care for the elderly and pregnant women. These volunteer nurses will provide proactive, door-to-door care nationwide for bedridden patients, homebound individuals, and expectant mothers.
4. Establishing elderly care centers across all regions to meet rising demand. This will involve private sector participation domestically and internationally to build an integrated elderly care ecosystem. State-owned land will be made available for long-term private investment in such centers, reducing costs for businesses and care expenses, boosting investment and job creation. The slogan: “60 Plus, Enjoy Retirement, Productive Workforce.” These measures aim to improve seniors’ quality of life, income, employment, and happiness.
Additionally, there is a policy for “One District, One Drug Rehabilitation Center” to treat and rehabilitate drug-dependent individuals, referred to as “patients” rather than users. Treatment should be accessible near homes since drug issues affect many families deeply. Bhumjaithai will support communities so no one fights alone, bringing recovery close to home to help people return to their families and society with renewed hope and love.
Ms. Sabida emphasized that these are not mere campaign promises but “Promises Made, Promises Kept Plus” policies designed to lead the country toward a bright, sustainable future.