Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

 

Thailand has gained three new UNESCO-recognised Learning Cities, following the organisation’s approval of Tak Municipality, Rayong Province and Satun Province as members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC). The announcement, made on 4 December 2025, was confirmed by Dr Narumon Pinyosinthaworn, Minister of Education, on 9 December 2025. The move marks a significant step in Thailand’s progress towards strengthening lifelong learning and expanding educational access for all age groups.

 

According to Dr Narumon, the designation reflects Thailand’s commitment to advancing lifelong learning policies and showcases the combined efforts of government agencies and partner organisations. She said the recognition highlights the country’s drive to develop learning systems both within and beyond formal education, ensuring readiness for the demands of the 21st century. The three newly recognised Thai Learning Cities each demonstrated distinct strengths aligned with UNESCO criteria.

 

Tak Municipality emphasises becoming a “city of opportunity,” supporting lifelong learning for urban and border-area populations. Rayong Province promotes learning linked to industry, technology and local resources to prepare youth and workers in the Eastern Economic Corridor. Satun Province focuses on learning grounded in natural and cultural heritage, including environmental education, tourism skills and community-based occupations.

 

UNESCO noted that joining the network gives cities access to global knowledge, learning resources and best practices from leading international cities. It also strengthens opportunities for innovation through international collaboration, reinforcing the organisation’s belief that Learning Cities are places where “learning is part of everyday life,” whether at school, in workplaces, libraries, museums, public spaces or in people’s homes. Member cities are seen as key in supporting workforce development, expanding access for adults and disadvantaged groups, and preparing society for technological change and artificial intelligence.

 

Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, said the 72 newly admitted cities worldwide are redefining learning by “transforming every street and every building into spaces of knowledge and opportunity.” The GNLC’s expansion in 2025 is its largest in a single year, bringing the network to more than 425 cities across 91 countries and serving nearly 500 million people. This year also saw 11 capital cities join, including Porto-Novo, Bissau, Lusaka, Cairo, Riyadh, Lisbon, Ankara, Ashgabat, Hanoi, Buenos Aires and Caracas, along with 12 newly represented countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, the United States, Venezuela and Zambia.

 

ThsiRath reported that Thailand now has 13 members within the UNESCO network, strengthening national efforts to embed lifelong learning in local and provincial policies. Officials say this recognition will support community-based learning innovations, international cooperation, provincial planning focused on “lifelong learning for all,” and Thailand’s overall goal of developing globally recognised Learning Cities.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• UNESCO has approved Tak Municipality, Rayong Province and Satun Province as new members of the Global Network of Learning Cities.

• The recognition highlights Thailand’s progress in lifelong learning and its readiness for 21st-century educational needs.

• Thailand now has 13 Learning Cities, strengthening community innovation and international educational cooperation.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Thairath 2025-12-10

 

On 12/10/2025 at 4:58 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education,

She should visit a normal Thai school, unannounced.....

What a load of utter bull droppings. Have they nothing more useful to do?

Can't say I've witnessed any gains in knowledge or behaviour in Rayong over many years. Much the same as it has always been. 

From the photo, counting to 10 on her fingers looks like it failed 

3 hours ago, Grusa said:

What a load of utter bull droppings. Have they nothing more useful to do?

No

On 12/10/2025 at 4:58 AM, Georgealbert said:

UNESCO-

Why not just declare the whole of Thailand as a UNESCO sight, and have done with it.....