On March 21, 2026, the Sundial Plaza at Lumphini Park transformed into a vibrant classroom without walls as Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, inaugurated the BKK Read & Learn Festival. The event served as the official launchpad for Next Learn, a digital lifelong learning platform designed to be the “one-stop shop” for every Bangkokian looking to survive and thrive in an AI-driven economy. Governor Chadchart was characteristically candid during the press conference, stating that while the BMA might not have a bottomless treasury to hand out cash, it can strategically “distribute knowledge”. He argued that in a volatile world, the only sustainable exit strategy for citizens is the ability to adapt, making lifelong learning the most critical infrastructure the city can provide.
The Next Learn platform (learning.bangkok.go.th) isn’t just a digital library; it is a direct bridge to employment. Mr. Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, detailed how the BMA is “standing on the shoulders of giants” by partnering with global tech leaders like Google and Microsoft to offer 70 “Next Skill” courses focused on AI, digital technology, and green energy. To ensure these skills translate into survival, the platform also features 118 “Next Job” courses developed with 13 major private sector partners, such as The Coffee Club and Fastwork, which guarantee that graduation leads directly to hiring opportunities. With over 1,700 physical learning spaces mapped across the city, ranging from independent bookstores to recreation centers, the BMA is challenging residents to collectively clock one million learning hours to revitalize the city’s human capital.
“A Learning City is not just a solution, but the only way out for all of us.” — Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon
Building on Bangkok’s status as a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, the festival continues through May 2026 with a concept of “Different Generations Learning Together”. By connecting vocational schools with international innovation, the BMA is betting that a more curious, better-skilled populace will create a more resilient and equitable “City of Opportunity”. Whether you are a student exploring AI or a senior citizen picking up a new craft, the message from Lumphini Park was clear: the classroom is now the entire city, and the curriculum is the future itself.
