Elevating Thai vocational education, the government aims to increase vocational student enrollment to 55%, developing a high-skilled workforce for future industries, along with supporting the national credit bank system.
On 9 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmit Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government prioritizes raising the standard of Thai vocational education. The focus is to promote a learning system connected to the working world, creating a workforce that meets industrial and modern labor market demands, under the concept that “Vocational education is not an alternative but the main path,” which is a key approach to creating opportunities, income, and stability for learners.
In this regard, the government will proceed to restructure the student ratio between vocational and general education to approach a 45:55 proportion, meaning 45% general education students and 55% vocational education students. This is a change from the previous 70:30 ratio. The goal is to balance the production of academic personnel and vocational professionals, while producing highly skilled workers aligned with current economic market and industrial sector needs.
Furthermore, the government emphasizes developing the dual vocational education system by promoting cooperation between educational institutions and the private sector to set shared competency standards in target fields such as electric vehicles, automation systems, robotics, digital technology, smart electronics, semiconductors, and clean energy. This ensures learners have skills matching future industries. Additionally, vocational school leaders will be encouraged to become human capital leaders who can analyze labor market trends and effectively network with the business sector.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson added at the end that the government also supports the national credit bank system to allow learners to accumulate work experience and transfer it into academic qualifications. It also provides support for at-risk children and youth who may drop out of the education system, enabling them to study, work, and earn income simultaneously, thereby increasing opportunities to develop skills and improve quality of life.