On 21 July 2026, Ms. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Deputy Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), presided over the opening ceremony of the Lessons Learned Workshop on the Labour Skills Development Project at Pinehurst Golf Club & Hotel, Pathum Thani Province. The workshop was attended by Mr. Chatiwut Thongkan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Skill Development, together with representatives from Skill Development Institutes and Skill Development Offices in 24 provinces, as well as officials from relevant agencies.

In her opening remarks, the Deputy Director-General of TICA stated that the Labour Skills Development Project is one of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' long-standing development cooperation initiatives aimed at strengthening human resource capacity in Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), and Myanmar, while contributing to security and economic development in border areas. Since 2016, TICA has served as the lead implementing agency for the project, with the objective of enhancing vocational skills that respond to labour market demands and improving the quality of life of people in neighbouring countries in a sustainable manner.

The project has been implemented in close collaboration with the Department of Skill Development and its network of Skill Development Institutes and Skill Development Offices in border provinces. Together, they have designed and delivered training programmes across a wide range of vocational fields tailored to the needs of partner countries. The programmes combine classroom instruction, hands-on practical training, and study visits, helping participants enhance their employability, support local economic development, and strengthen long-term cooperation between Thailand and its neighbouring countries.

The workshop provided a platform for implementing agencies to exchange experiences, share knowledge, and draw lessons from project implementation. The insights and recommendations generated will contribute to improving future project implementation, ensuring that training activities continue to meet the evolving needs of neighbouring countries while reinforcing Thailand's role in promoting sustainable development cooperation in the region.

The Labour Skills Development Project reflects Thailand's commitment to sharing its knowledge, expertise, and development experience through international development cooperation. By placing human resource development at the centre of its cooperation efforts, the project contributes to inclusive economic growth, strengthens regional security, and fosters enduring friendship and partnership between Thailand and its neighbouring countries.