Complete NSDA Thailand Guide 2026

What Is NSDA Thailand?

Thailand's skills development ecosystem is governed by the Skill Development Promotion Act B.E. 2545 (2002), which established the framework for national workforce training. The Department of Skill Development (DSD), under the Ministry of Labour, serves as the primary implementing agency. In this guide, we use "NSDA" to refer to Thailand's broader national skill development authority structure, encompassing the DSD, its regional training centres, and partner agencies including the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) and the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI).

The DSD operates over 70 skill development centres across Thailand's 77 provinces, providing free or subsidised vocational training to Thai citizens and workers. These centres deliver training in more than 200 occupational categories, from traditional trades to cutting-edge digital and AI skills. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the government's Thailand 4.0 transformation agenda, these centres have expanded their digital offerings dramatically, making Thailand one of the most accessible countries in Southeast Asia for government-funded AI training.

Thailand's Skills Development Framework

The Skill Development Promotion Act

The Skill Development Promotion Act B.E. 2545 is the legislative foundation for Thailand's training system. Key provisions include:

• Employer training obligations: Companies with 100 or more employees must train at least 50% of their workforce annually or pay a skills development levy to the Skill Development Fund. This creates a strong financial incentive for employers to invest in workforce development, including AI and digital skills.
• Tax incentives: Employers who conduct approved training can deduct 200% of training expenses from taxable income under Section 6 of the Revenue Code. This is one of the most generous training tax incentives in the ASEAN region and effectively subsidises 40% of training costs at the standard corporate tax rate.
• National Skills Standards: The TPQI develops and maintains occupational standards that align with ASEAN mutual recognition frameworks, ensuring Thai-trained workers hold credentials recognised across the region.
• Skills Development Fund: Collects levies from non-compliant employers and redistributes funds for public training programmes. The fund supports free training at government centres and subsidises industry-specific programmes.

Thailand 4.0 and Digital Skills

Thailand 4.0 is the government's flagship economic transformation strategy, a 20-year national plan aiming to move the country from a labour-intensive, manufacturing-based economy to an innovation-driven, value-based economy. Under this framework, AI and digital skills have been designated as the highest priority areas for workforce development. The strategy identifies ten target industries — five existing "first S-curve" industries to be upgraded with technology, and five "new S-curve" industries including digital, robotics, and biotechnology.

Key digital workforce initiatives under Thailand 4.0 include:

• Digital Manpower Fund: Established to support training in AI, data science, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. The fund provides direct subsidies for both individual learners and organisations investing in digital transformation.
• depa Digital Transformation: The Digital Economy Promotion Agency offers grants ranging from THB 100,000 to over THB 1,000,000 for digital skills development, making it one of the most accessible funding sources for AI training in Thailand.
• EEC Digital Skills: The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) programme includes dedicated digital workforce development for high-tech industries concentrated in Thailand's eastern provinces of Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong.
• National AI Strategy: Developed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), this strategy targets 20,000 AI specialists and 700,000 AI-literate workers by 2027.

Key Organisations in Thailand's Skills Ecosystem

Department of Skill Development (DSD)

The DSD is the operational arm of Thailand's skills system and the agency most employers will interact with directly:

• Operates 12 Institute of Skill Development centres and over 60 provincial skill development centres across all 77 provinces
• Provides free training for Thai citizens in priority skills areas, including a growing catalogue of AI and digital courses
• Conducts the annual National Skills Competition (Thai Skills), similar to WorldSkills, with categories increasingly including digital and technology disciplines
• Issues skill standard certificates in over 200 occupations, with new digital and AI-related categories being added regularly
• Partners with industry associations for demand-driven training that matches actual employer needs
• Administers the 200% tax deduction programme, processing Form SDP 1 (training notification) and Form SDP 2 (completion report)

Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI)

TPQI develops and certifies occupational standards and is the body responsible for Thailand's position in the ASEAN qualifications ecosystem:

• Creates professional qualification frameworks aligned with ASEAN standards, enabling Thai workers to have their skills recognised across the region
• Certifies assessment centres and assessors, ensuring quality and consistency in skills evaluation
• Issues professional qualifications recognised across ASEAN member states through mutual recognition agreements
• Maintains the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which maps Thai qualifications to regional and international standards
• Has developed specific digital and AI occupational standards including Data Analyst, Software Developer, and Cybersecurity Analyst at multiple competency levels

Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa)

depa promotes digital economy development and is the government agency most focused on AI-specific training:

• Offers digital literacy and advanced digital skills programmes through the Coding Thailand initiative, which has enrolled over 500,000 learners
• Provides grants for SME digital transformation at three tiers: mini (up to THB 100,000), midi (up to THB 1,000,000), and maxi (over THB 1,000,000)
• Runs Smart City initiatives in over 30 designated zones, creating demand for AI-skilled workers across the country
• Partners with tech companies and global education platforms like Coursera and edX for AI and coding boot camps
• Operates the AI Sandbox programme for testing and developing AI applications

Training Centre Network

Thailand's skill development centres are organised into three tiers, providing coverage across the entire country:

1. Institute of Skill Development (ISD): 12 regional centres offering advanced technical and digital training, including AI and Industry 4.0 courses. These are the flagship facilities with the most up-to-date equipment and the widest course selection. Key locations include centres in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, and Songkhla.
2. Provincial Skill Development Centres: Over 60 centres across all provinces providing foundational and intermediate skills training. These centres ensure geographic accessibility and are progressively adding digital skills courses. While AI-specific courses may be limited at some provincial centres, basic digital literacy and computer skills training is available everywhere.
3. Mobile Training Units: Bring training to rural and underserved areas, increasingly including basic digital literacy and AI awareness. These units are particularly important for reaching communities in northern and northeastern Thailand where access to ISD centres may require significant travel.

Certification and Standards

Thailand's skills certification system operates on multiple levels, providing a clear progression pathway from basic skills to internationally recognised professional qualifications:

• DSD Skill Certificates: Issued after completing training and passing practical assessments at skill development centres. Three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. These certificates are widely recognised by Thai employers and demonstrate verified competency in specific skill areas.
• TPQI Professional Qualifications: Formal occupational standards aligned with the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF). Multiple levels from entry to expert, with specific pathways for digital and AI-related occupations. These qualifications carry the most weight for career advancement and are the Thai equivalent of professional certifications in other countries.
• National Skills Competition Medals: Recognition of excellence through the annual Thai Skills Competition, which feeds into the WorldSkills international competition. While primarily for younger workers, the competition raises the profile of vocational skills and encourages investment in training excellence.
• depa and University Certificates: Completion certificates from depa programmes and university short courses complement DSD and TPQI credentials, particularly for emerging skills like AI where formal occupational standards are still being developed.

How to Access NSDA Training

For Individuals

1. Visit a Skill Development Centre: Locate your nearest DSD training centre through the Department of Skill Development website (www.dsd.go.th) or contact your provincial labour office. The website provides a searchable directory of all centres with course calendars and availability.
2. Register for Training: Bring your Thai national ID card and register for available courses. Most courses at government centres are free for Thai citizens. Some advanced or specialised programmes may have nominal fees for materials or certification assessments.
3. Complete Training: Attend all sessions, complete practical exercises, and pass the assessment. Courses range from 30 hours (basic digital literacy) to 120 hours (advanced AI and programming). Most courses include both theoretical instruction and hands-on practice.
4. Receive Certification: Earn your DSD skill certificate upon passing the assessment. For professional qualifications, apply to TPQI-accredited assessment centres to sit for the relevant occupational standard assessment.
5. Continue Development: Use your DSD certificate as a foundation for further training. Progress from basic to intermediate to advanced levels, or complement DSD training with depa programmes and university courses for a comprehensive AI skill set.

For Employers

1. Register with DSD: Contact your regional Institute of Skill Development to register as a training partner. This is required for the 200% tax deduction and can also give you access to subsidised training for your employees.
2. Submit Annual Training Plan: Outline your workforce training needs using Form SDP 1, submitted at least 15 days before training begins. Include course details, trainer qualifications, number of trainees, and schedule.
3. Access Subsidised Training: Send employees to DSD centres for free foundational training, or arrange in-house training with DSD-approved curriculum. Both approaches qualify for the 200% tax deduction.
4. Deliver and Document Training: Conduct training per the approved plan, maintaining attendance records, assessment results, and training materials. Submit Form SDP 2 within 60 days of completion.
5. Claim Tax Benefits: Deduct 200% of qualifying training expenses from corporate income tax in your annual filing. At the standard 20% corporate rate, this effectively reduces training costs by 40%.

How Pertama Partners Can Help

Pertama Partners delivers AI training programmes aligned with Thailand's national skills standards. We help organisations navigate the NSDA system, design curricula that meet TPQI standards, and maximise government training subsidies including the 200% tax deduction.

Our Thailand programmes cover:

• AI fundamentals aligned with DSD digital skills curricula
• Advanced AI applications meeting TPQI occupational standards
• Enterprise AI training eligible for the 200% tax deduction
• Thailand 4.0 digital transformation readiness assessments
• Industry-specific AI implementation (financial services, manufacturing, healthcare)
• Train-the-trainer programmes for sustainable internal AI capability

We handle the full DSD compliance process including Form SDP 1 and SDP 2 preparation, ensuring your AI training investment qualifies for maximum government support.

Contact us to discuss how NSDA funding can support AI training for your Thai workforce.