Thailand’s Ministry of Education has introduced three immediate measures aimed at reducing school-related expenses for families across the country, focusing on uniforms, learning materials and the wider cost of living. The initiative is part of a new policy push by Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong to ease financial pressure on parents during a period of rising energy and living costs.

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The first measure relaxes school uniform regulations nationwide, allowing students to reuse existing uniforms even when advancing year levels or transferring schools. Full ceremonial Boy Scout and Girl Guide uniforms will no longer be compulsory, with students permitted to wear only a neckerchief and cap alongside school uniforms or PE kits. Schools are also instructed to reduce unnecessary charges, allow instalment payments, and replace embroidered student names with school initials to cut costs and extend uniform lifespan.

The second measure targets education supplies, with the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel instructed to procure and sell textbooks and stationery at controlled prices. The aim is to ensure parents can access essential learning materials at fair and affordable rates through government oversight.

The third measure involves cross-ministry cooperation between the Education Ministry and the Department of Internal Trade under the Commerce Ministry. The plan seeks to reduce prices of essential consumer goods more broadly, extending relief beyond education-related costs to household budgets nationwide.

The reforms come as the government responds to mounting pressure over the rising cost of living, particularly in the education sector. Prasert, who assumed his role on April 10, 2026, said: “Rules or hidden costs must not be the reason children fall out of the education system.” The policy is designed to address inequality and reduce hidden costs that affect access to schooling.

The Nation reported that the minister has outlined longer-term structural reforms, including a new National Education Act to be completed within the current government term. A proposed “Human Capital Super Board”, chaired by the prime minister, will coordinate education, labour, higher education and private sector input to align curricula with labour market needs. The goal is to produce more than 1 million highly skilled workers within five years, supported by a Credit Bank system recognising real-world experience as qualifications.

Further plans include using AI to reduce teacher workloads, piloting a central kitchen model for school meals, improving funding for small rural schools, and establishing a Student Rights and Liberties Protection Centre. Prasert is expected to formally present the full policy platform on April 20.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 12 Apr 2026

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The parents will save thousands of THB... but not... Thai education is free is always announced, so please stop than with charging more money for unnecessaryand things. Boyscout should no be in school, but on a Saturday where parents and kids can decide if they want to participate or not, instead of doing it in school. Time could be used better. Most kids have already their uniforms, and no embroidering will not let parents save a lot of money. reuse the old uniforms instead...and give 1 set free would be much better.

Textbooks should be included in the free education program. No need to buy them.

The costs are not the reason of the fall out. The biggest reason is often the lack of willing to study by the students. No parental guidance and the always pass law.

I see in my soi too. A boy from a poor family is more not in school than in school. Reason he has to help his grandmother as she can't do everything anymore, and sometimes there is nobody available to bring him to and pick him up from school. He is uneducated and nobody cares, we have seen on TV several similar cases. That are real reasons of fall out. The government has no clue what is going on in the country

I am fortunate to have been a part of an excellent free public school system.

Uniforms were non existent, text books were free and reused from one year to the next , boy / girl scouts were a personal choice and no Uniforms were needed, meals were affordable and healthy.

School supplies consisted of note books and pens. That was it.

The result was a free thinking , educated group of graduates.

I just don't understand the system here , unless its aim is to produce what I see as tiny soldiers. Obedience that bows to authority.

FIRST THING , lose the Uniforms completely. Just my take on the situation.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Full ceremonial Boy Scout and Girl Guide uniforms will no longer be compulsory, with students permitted to wear only a neckerchief and cap alongside school uniforms or PE kits

Why do they have this regulation? Did Baden-Powell come to Thailand?

50 minutes ago, CMFarang said:

FIRST THING , lose the Uniforms completely. Just my take on the situation.

No, keep them. The kids look so neat & tidy, better than a lot of kids in UK.

The usual argument is that it levels up the economic situation of the poorer families, and prevents richer kids wearing fashion and bling.

I was so proud to wear my school uniform.

1 hour ago, CMFarang said:

FIRST THING , lose the Uniforms completely. Just my take on the situation.

Disagree. They are called a Uniform for a reason.

Hand-me-down uniforms? How humiliating for the child, broadcasting that their family is poor.

Anybody else here read that “aligning curricula with labour market needs” to “produce more than 1 million highly skilled workers” and using AI rather than human teachers sounds like brainwashing for future corporate drones?

I don’t think uniforms produce a uniform populace. The posh schools all have uniforms. It’s the quality of a critical education. To have a critical education, a students needs critical teachers. I’ve seen very few who ask questions and encourage students to ask questions.

I always thought Boy and Girl Scouts were mostly to compare notes for sex education. IMV, these are paramilitaries and breed fascism. (I quit the Cub Scouts.)

Plenty of money for free uniforms, free learning materials, free tuition and free lunches by cutting the bureaucrats who were paid handsome salaries to write this report.

And cutting the military.