Yotsanan, accompanied by labor officials, inspected the Institute of Skill Development 1, highlighting its equipment readiness to meet technical training demands, and plans to propose it as a temporary new home for Uthenthawai students to continue their studies.
At 13:30 on 24 Sep 2026, Yotsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (HESRI), led senior officials to Samut Prakan province to survey the readiness of a site to serve as a temporary learning facility for students of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai campus. Upon arrival at the Institute of Skill Development 1 in Bang Sao Thong district, they were warmly welcomed by the Ministry of Labor team, led by Surachart Thienthong, Secretary to the Minister of Labor; Kokkaew Pikulthong, Chair of the Ministerial Working Group; and Boonyakorn Damrongrat, Advisor to the Minister of Labor, along with other senior officials, to jointly inspect buildings, classrooms, and laboratories.
After touring the buildings, laboratories, and training workshops at the Institute of Skill Development 1 in Samut Prakan, Yotsanan spoke to the media about progress and plans to secure temporary learning spaces for students of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai campus. He stated that this visit marks a significant step in resolving longstanding conflicts. Assessments with the Ministry of Labor show the institute is highly ready, especially for vocational and engineering education.
"From today's inspection, the infrastructure readiness is clear. The site has large training workshops, machinery, and well-equipped technical laboratories, which align with Uthenthawai’s hands-on teaching approach. Using this site temporarily will allow students to continue learning and practicing almost immediately, without any decline in academic standards or quality," he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of inter-ministerial cooperation to facilitate a smooth transition for both students and faculty. "I thank the Ministry of Labor for opening their doors and fully cooperating. The Ministry of HESRI cannot solve this alone; we must integrate efforts from all sectors. The government's top priority is a seamless transition—students must have safe learning spaces with complete equipment, and instructors must work comfortably. Next, our teams from both ministries will review details to determine if facility upgrades or additional amenities are needed to ensure the site is 100 percent ready for student intake."
When asked about concerns from some students regarding the relocation, Yotsanan reassured them and their families that all decisions prioritize safety as the core principle.
"I fully understand the students’ attachment and concerns, but we must acknowledge that recent violence has impacted the safety of both students and the public. Securing a new location—whether at this Institute of Skill Development or other sites we are surveying—is intended to 'set the conflict to zero' and truly restore a safe educational environment. I assure parents and students that the government will not abandon them. We are not merely moving to avoid problems; we are laying the foundation to improve Uthenthawai’s educational environment. All measures for support and assistance during this relocation have been fully planned," Yotsanan said.