November 21, 2025 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over the opening of a seminar on “Benefits of the Skill Development Fund under the Skill Development Promotion Act B.E. 2545 and its Amendments” for Fiscal Year 2026. The report was delivered by Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour and Acting Director-General of the Department of Skills Development. Attending the event were the Minister’s working group, Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, Mr. Nattawut Phatprayoon, Labour Academic Advisor, senior executives of the Ministry of Labour and the Department of Skill Development, business representatives, and 500 seminar participants. The event took place in Makkhawan Rangsan Room, 3rd floor, The Royal Thai Army Club.
Ms. Trinuch revealed that the seminar on the benefits of the Skill Development Fund under the Skill Development Promotion Act B.E. 2545 and its Amendments, for Fiscal Year 2026, was organised to ensure that establishments in the Bangkok area understand the benefits of the Skill Development Fund and the processes for promoting skill development under the Act. The seminar aims to support establishments in developing their employees and receiving both tax incentives and financial support. This year, the Department of Skill Development targets promoting skill development for 4,640,000 employees, with the Skill Development Institute 13 Bangkok responsible for 1,800,000 employees from 7,451 establishments.
Ms. Trinuch added that the Act encourages establishments with 100 or more employees to prioritise the effective upskilling of their workforce. They are also entitled to five significant benefits as follows: 1) Reduced operating costs, whereby establishments that develop their employees according to the specified criteria are exempt from contributing to the Skill Development Fund, allowing them to retain cash flow within their business. 2) Double tax deduction, where training expenses can be used for tax deductions of up to 200%, effectively turning expenses into indirect profits. 3) A funding source for skills development, where establishments can borrow from the Skill Development Fund to train employees, with loans of up to 1 million Baht, 0% interest, and 12-month repayment, a truly “zero financial cost” investment. 4) Enhanced organisational competitiveness, by using the fund to develop employees strengthens the organisation, preparing it to adapt to a changing world and become a leader in the labour market. 5) Risk management and reputation building, whereby complying fully with the law reduces the risk of penalties and builds the image of an organisation genuinely committed to people development.
She added that today’s seminar would help establishments understand how to maximise the fund’s benefits and use the knowledge gained to strategically plan and manage their workforce. Although employee development is treated as an expense in accounting terms, it is in reality an investment that empowers the heart of the organisation — its people. An organisation can grow only as far as its people’s capabilities. Establishments interested in applying for loans from the Skill Development Fund or requesting financial assistance/support may contact any provincial Skill Development Institute or Office, or the Skill Development Promotion Division at Tel. 0 2245 2365, Ms. Trinuch concluded.
