Non-formal education, including adult education, introduced in Thailand in 1940 in an attempt to provide education for those who miss schooling opportunities, is an indispensable component of the present educational system that complements the formal system of education. Educational programmes offered emphasize basic education, news and information literacy (level 1-4) and vocational skills training which are available throughout the country.

There are over 500 public libraries throughout the country, most of which offer mobile services to people in rural areas. Practical reading materials are also available at over 30,000 village reading centres formed by village committees.

There are at least 38 national museums for public reference and interest.

The Non-formal Education Department established Thaicom Distance Education Centre in October 1993 to plan and manage the satellite distance education project. The experimental period of this project is from 1994-1998. The centre coordinates with agencies concerned from both the public and private sectors in the management of televised distance education through satellite broadcast and the development of such multi-media, as texts or self-learning manuals, learning kits, television/radio programmes, video/cassette tapes.

Special training services are also provided for disadvantaged groups in urban and rural areas, new labour market entrants, the unemployed, and certain categories of people such as ex-convicts, homeless, and sexually-exploited who require skills to earn their living and make them active contributors to society.

These children have been developed in terms of physical, intellectual, emotional and social aspects so that they may become self-reliant and contribute weaningfully to society in which they live.