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The Kamlangjai Project Fund Committee Monitors Operations in Udon Thani Province
Air Chief Marshal Somkid Sukbang, Vice Chairman of the Kamlangjai Project Fund Committee, inspects the implementation of the Royal Kamlangjai Project at Udon Thani Central Prison.
Monday, May 11, 2026 — Air Chief Marshal Somkid Sukbang, Grand Chamberlain to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati and Vice Chairman of the Kamlangjai Project Fund Committee, visited to inspect the implementation of the Royal Kamlangjai Project.
The Minister of Justice assigned Police Lieutenant General Saipetch Srisang and Police Lieutenant General Tawatchai Nakrit, Advisors to the Minister of Justice, to join the inspection alongside the committee. Also in attendance were Mrs Jirapa Sindhuanava, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice; Police Captain Piya Raksakul, Director-General of the Department of Probation; Mr Somboon Sila, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Corrections; Mr Apai Iad-bua, Inspector-General of the Department of Probation; the Director of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Region 4; and heads of local agencies under the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Labour. The visit took place at Udon Thani Central Prison in Udon Thani Province.
Udon Thani Central Prison previously received the royal grace of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who presided over the opening of the Kamlangjai Project on May 24, 2008, and later visited to follow up on the project's activities on January 17, 2014. The prison detains inmates with sentences of up to 30 years. As of April 28, 2026, the facility houses a total of 4,475 male and female inmates. The prison conducts various activities to improve inmates' quality of life and prepare them physically and mentally for a successful reintegration into society. These include educational and vocational training programs supported by public and private sectors, such as Udon Thani Rajabhat University and Udon Thani Vocational College. Practical training covers skills like making pizza, takoyaki, tie-dye fabrics, and advanced baking. During the event, inmates delivered a performance titled "Stream of Mercy to the Power of Faith, Bringing Encouragement."
Following the performance, two role models—Mr. Chokchai Nuangkanya, an auto and motorcycle mechanic, and Ms. Chanokporn Chankittragool, a smoothie vendor, shared their experiences of living outside the prison. Police Lieutenant General Saipetch Srisang delivered words of encouragement to the inmates, while Air Chief Marshal Somkid Sukbang stated the project's objectives, gave a speech, and presented royally bestowed relief bags to both role models. An occupational grant of 10,000 THB from the Kamlangjai Fund was awarded to Ms Chanokporn, while Mr Chokchai is currently in the process of applying for an ONCB grant.
The delegation then toured the career booths set up by the two role models and visited the male inmate vocational training exhibitions, which featured:
This was followed by a demonstration of Virtual Reality (VR) technology for immersive career learning and a job application demonstration for inmates nearing release, conducted by the CARE Centre in collaboration with the Udon Thani Provincial Employment Office.
Next, the committee proceeded to the Yanasampanno Library to observe inmates participating in financial and savings training, organised by the National Savings Fund and the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG), as well as a legal education session provided by the Udon Thani Provincial Justice Office.
On this occasion, the Vice Chairman presided over the opening of the FDA-standard "Inspire Bakery" vocational training room. Established under the Kamlangjai Project, this facility aims to elevate the prison's baking curriculum to meet Food and Drug Administration standards, thereby adding value to the products and the inmates' skill sets. This initiative expands upon the specialised culinary and beverage school at Nakhon Pathom Central Prison, enabling inmates to pursue real careers post-release. Udon Thani Rajabhat University provided academic support for curriculum development.
The committee also toured vocational training programs in the women's zone:
Furthermore, Udon Thani Central Prison has actively promoted the quality of inmate-crafted products. Currently, three products are officially registered under the OTOP (One Tambon One Product) scheme:
In the afternoon, the delegation attended the opening ceremony of the "Elevating Digital Skills for New Normal Careers" project at the Ministry of Justice Integration Building. In 2023, the Kamlangjai Project partnered with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) to provide digital skills training. As a result, role models and probationers successfully applied this knowledge to their careers, such as working as delivery riders or using Facebook pages to sell goods and food. In 2025, with budget support from the ONCB, another digital training session was organised. Instructors from the department led the sessions, and the Department of Probation coordinated the participation of 29 individuals from Udon Thani and Khon Kaen provinces. This two-day training aimed to equip participants with practical digital literacy and e-commerce skills for the modern era.
The committee then returned to Udon Thani Central Prison for a progress tracking meeting. They exchanged ideas with various networks, academic institutions, private enterprises (including Sri Trang Co., Green Ozone Co., Singto Car Care, and KPT Parawood Co., Ltd.), and the Department of Corrections.
Finally, the delegation travelled to the "Wichai Panit Factory" in Na Kha Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani Province, to visit and encourage a Kamlangjai Project role model. Released in January 2024, this individual is now a business owner who has hired seven other ex-offenders to work at the enterprise. The Vice Chairman presented royally bestowed relief bags from Their Majesties the King and Queen to the role model as a token of moral support, and the Advisors to the Minister of Justice presented official souvenirs from the Ministry of Justice.
