October 31, 2025 — The Thailand Network of Learning Cities—under the collaboration of the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A), the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand, the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Bangkok Office—hosted the “Thailand Learning City Awards” at Sanfun Courtyard, Thailand Knowledge Park or TK Park, Bangkok. The event celebrated 16 pioneering cities that have become models of lifelong learning, inspiring others across the country to advance toward sustainable urban development. Representatives from national and international education agencies, along with city delegates from across the nation, gathered in strong numbers to mark this milestone moment.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panintra Teeranon, Secretary of the Thailand Network of Learning Cities, highlighted the significance of the “Thailand Learning City Awards” in promoting model cities and fostering collaboration at both national and international levels, adapting the “Learning City” concept to suit the Thai context. “The Thailand Learning City Awards honor cities that exemplify lifelong learning in action,” she said, “while also reflecting the collective synergy of PMU-A, EEF, OKMD, and UNESCO Thailand. Together, we aim to inspire more cities to embark on the path toward sustainable learning societies—with the University of Phayao serving as the Network Secretariat.”
Presiding over the opening ceremony, Dr. Silaporn Buasai, Chairperson of the Advisory Subcommittee for the “Thatchaphum” Science Center under PMU-A, emphasized the pivotal role of the “Learning Cities Networks” in empowering localities, which enable cities to systematically access knowledge, plan strategically, and monitor lifelong learning outcomes, all while connecting collaboration across public, private, educational, and civil society sectors—a core element in enhancing citizens’ quality of life. “Learning,” she remarked, “is the power that transforms societies toward growth and sustainability. Building a Learning Cities Network is thus vital for connecting various sectors, ensuring that collaboration translates into improved quality of life of local people and inclusive urban development.”
Echoing this view, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Poon Tiengburanatham, Deputy Executive Director for Planning and Strategy at PMU-A, elaborated on the importance of the “Thailand Learning City Platform”—a platform designed to provide everyone with access to lifelong learning resources, fostering a robust and continuous learning ecosystem that spans both offline and online environments. “This platform,” he explained, “is not merely a digital system but a shared learning arena—a place where everyone can learn together and turn their cities into true learning ones.”
The Thailand Learning City Platform comprises six key components.
- Learning City Academy and Forum serves as a space for cities to exchange experiences and develop shared understanding of the power of learning;
- Learning City Evaluation and Strategic Research expands knowledge and develops replicable models;
- Learning City Award recognizes model cities and showcasing best practices;
- Learning City Database and Digital Platform offers open access to data and resources for city development;
- Learning City Week is an annual gathering for knowledge exchange and partnership-building; and
- Lifelong Learning Booster is a hub for discovering and promoting innovations that bring learning to life across communities.
From a knowledge management perspective, Dr. Apichart Prasert, Deputy Executive Director of OKMD, underscored the vital role of local learning spaces in promoting lifelong learning, cultivating active citizens, and nurturing a community-based learning culture, while also supporting the design of learning activities tailored to local contexts. “Learning centers like TK Park,” he stated, “lie at the heart of human and urban development. When people gain access to knowledge and skills, they create value, and from that value grows a culture of learning within the community.”
Expanding the discussion to how learning cities drive urban development across social, economic, and youth well-being dimensions, Mr. Patanapong Sukmadan, Assistant Manager of EEF, noted that the award categories reflect the intrinsic link between child development and the overall growth of cities. “The four award categories this year,” he said, “demonstrate how learning cities contribute across multiple dimensions, helping children and young people thrive alongside the growth of their communities.”
This year’s 16 award-winning cities were recognized across four categories:
- Learning City for CHILDREN and YOUTH promotes safe, nurturing environments for young people’s holistic growth;
- Learning City for CULTURAL IDENTITY preserves local wisdom and heritage through lifelong learning
- Learning City for EQUITY reduces social and economic disparities by ensuring equal access to learning; and
- Learning City for ECONOMY fosters socio-economic development through lifelong learning for people of all ages.
According to Mr. Boonyiam Laosaat, Director of Research and Innovation for Livable Cities and Regional Development (Division 3) under PMU-A, academic research and urban development funding play an instrumental role in creating tangible learning cities, enabling secondary cities to plan development strategically, connect residents with their hometowns, and replicate successful models in other cities. “Scientific and evidence-based approaches,” he explained, “ensure that learning city initiatives are both practical and people-centered, setting clear directions for development while inspiring replication across regions.”
Ms. Rika Yorozu, Education Specialist at UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, broadened the discussion to the global stage, pointing to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) as a vital international platform for exchange and cooperation, as building learning cities requires collective efforts from both local and national levels, with recognition of lifelong learners serving as the key to inspiring continuous learning and personal growth. “Collaboration,” she emphasized, “is the foundation of learning. Recognizing lifelong learners ignites the inspiration that drives people to discover who they are and shape their own futures.”
The ceremony also featured a panel discussion titled “UNESCO-GNLC: 3 Voices, 1 Network,” with representatives from Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, and Phayao. Many Thai cities have joined the UNESCO GNLC thanks to their strong learning infrastructures and leadership. Each city exemplifies a distinct strength: Khon Kaen with its robust urban-university network, Chachoengsao with its clear governance mechanisms and committed leadership, and Phayao with its deep cultural roots and active community networks. Other cities, such as Pattani and Satun, have built momentum through local innovation and multi-sector collaboration. Participation in the GNLC enables these cities to strengthen collaboration between agencies and citizens of all ages, build a sustainable learning ecosystem, drive local education and economic development, promote lifelong learning, and nurture a new generation of leaders, while inspiring other cities to join the network by leveraging their unique strengths, applying best practices, and producing tangible results—a crucial factor in scaling impact and connecting Thailand to the global network.
The concept of “Learning Cities” is a global initiative promoted by UNESCO since 2013 through the “Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities,” aiming to ensure that people of all ages have access to education and lifelong learning, while fostering aware, civically engaged citizens who contribute to the development of their communities, society, and economy. Thailand began developing its learning cities between 2017 and 2020, and today 10 Thai cities are GNLC’s officially recognized members, strengthening both national and international collaboration, supporting adaptation to a rapidly changing world, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2025, the Thailand Learning City Awards were held for the first time to honor cities that exemplify lifelong learning and to inspire other cities to pursue sustainable learning practices. The awards are organized through the collaboration of the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A), the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand, and the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD), with the University of Phayao serving as Secretariat, overseeing the management of the competition and the Thailand Network of Learning Cities.
