Bangkok, Thailand – As a new academic year commences, KFC Thailand is intensifying its efforts to address the critical issue of school dropouts by continuing its KFC Bucket Search Program into its second year, in partnership with the Equitable Education Fund (EEF). The initiative aims to support an additional 300 youths this year and a total of 1,000 by the end of 2025, reintegrating them into society through education and vocational training, with potential significant benefits for Thailand’s GDP.
The reopening of schools brings into sharp focus a persistent challenge in Thailand, where many children remain unable to return to classrooms. Alarming data from the EEF indicates that a staggering 880,463 youths aged 3 to 24 are currently out of school. This situation is recognized as a critical challenge facing the Thai education system, one that demands urgent and comprehensive attention. Addressing this educational inequality is not merely a social imperative but also a significant economic one. It is estimated that if Thailand could successfully eradicate educational inequality and reduce the school dropout rate to zero, the country would stand to benefit from almost 1.7% growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), primarily due to the projected increase in lifetime earnings among better-educated youths.
In a determined response to this pressing issue, the KFC Bucket Search Program, guided by the profound principle that “no potential should be wasted,” is significantly expanding its reach and impact. The program, which initially focused on supporting youths in juvenile detention centers, is now broadening its scope to include vulnerable groups and teenage parents across the nation. This expansion aims to ignite hope and open tangible doors to education and promising future careers for these deserving young individuals. This concerted effort is an integral part of the broader Thailand Zero Dropout Vision, a strategic collaboration with the EEF meticulously designed to improve the lives of young people by offering a flexible curriculum thoughtfully tailored to their unique life circumstances and individual needs.
At the heart of the KFC Bucket Search Program lies an innovative and adaptive “out-of-the-box curriculum”. This unique educational model provides participants with empowering choices. They can opt for the “work & study” program, which intelligently helps them balance their time while earning an income through simultaneously working and learning with KFC. Alternatively, they can choose the vocational program, which diligently equips participants with both practical, in-demand skills and essential funding to support their training.
This dynamic and flexible learning ecosystem is specifically designed to enable young people to acquire crucial real-life, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills through invaluable hands-on work experience. A key feature of this model is that these practical experiences can be effectively converted into “academic credits”. These credits accumulate toward formal qualifications, thereby equipping the participants with the necessary readiness and credentials for diverse future career opportunities.
The leadership at KFC Thailand has articulated a deep commitment to this cause. Mr. Suhayl Limbada, Market Lead & Chief Marketing Officer of KFC Thailand, emphasized the program’s foundational beliefs, stating, “The KFC Bucket Search Program stems from the belief that every young person has potential and should not be left behind simply due to lack of opportunity. We believe that education is the key to helping children realize their self-worth, unlock their potential, and advance toward a better life. These align with the spirit of Colonel Sanders, who believed in giving people a second chance and helping them live better lives. KFC Bucket Search Program is not just a CSR activity; it is the ultimate reflection of our beliefs and commitment for over the past 40 years of presence in Thailand: to drive positive social change and support equal opportunity for all.”
Ms. Patra Patrasuwan, Associate Marketing Director for Brand Experience at KFC Thailand, further elaborated on the unique educational approach and its practical benefits. “Starting this new academic year, KFC hopes to bring school dropouts back into classrooms through KFC’s out-of-the-box curriculum that focuses on providing vocational and entrepreneurial skills. Students can earn academic credits through real work experience and graduate with a high school diploma. KFC’s out-of-the-box classrooms are not merely space for education. They are designed to help young people unlock their potential through a flexible learning journey that fits their life circumstances and gives them hands-on experience working at KFC. Ultimately, it’s about enabling these youths to fulfil their potential and confidently reintegrate into society with dignity and purpose.”
Since its successful launch in 2023, the KFC Bucket Search Program has already made a significant impact, having supported a total of 430 young individuals, many of whom transitioned from juvenile detention centers. Beyond providing crucial access to learning and vocational skill-building, KFC has also proactively enriched the program by inviting inspiring guest speakers from a wide variety of professions. These have included influencers, hairstylists, musicians, and bartenders, all sharing real-world insights and opening up new perspectives on diverse and viable career paths for the participants.
The transformative power of the program is vividly illustrated by the experiences of its beneficiaries. Earth, a youth from the first batch of KFC Bucket Search, shared his compelling story: “I had the opportunity to perform at the launch event of the Bucket Search program about two years ago, after my band won the DJOP Music Contest organized by the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection. Thanks to KFC, we got the chance to perform and sing on stage. I felt truly happy seeing people enjoy our music, and it made me want to pursue it as a career. I chose to prove to everyone that we can change ourselves. I’m not worried about life outside because I’ve been given so many opportunities by people who helped shape who I am today—whether it’s through education or simply being able to do what I love.”
The program’s design carefully supports young people in discovering their inherent potential across a wide spectrum of careers, ensuring that opportunities are not limited to employment solely within KFC. Among the first cohort of 130 participants, nearly half have chosen to pursue the combined work & study program, astutely continuing their education alongside employment, whether through vocational education, general education, or even university-level studies. Others have opted for the vocational program, thoughtfully selecting their training and career paths based on their individual interests and unique strengths, leading them into diverse fields such as running their own businesses, mastering skilled trades, excelling in the hospitality sector, and even pursuing careers in music.
The curriculum’s focus thoughtfully extends beyond merely equipping participants with the ‘hard skills’ that are essential in today’s competitive job market, such as entrepreneurship, English for business, and marketing. The program also places a strong and deliberate emphasis on developing crucial ‘soft skills’. These include effective communication, adaptability in dynamic environments, comprehensive life planning, heightened self-awareness, and profound empathy, all of which are vital for personal and professional success.
The ultimate and overarching goal of the KFC Bucket Search Program is to comprehensively support school dropouts in their journey of reintegrating into society. It aims to empower them to effectively use the knowledge and invaluable experience gained from the program to unlock their full potential and build sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families, fostering long-term stability and growth. In addition, KFC fervently hopes to inspire other brands and corporations to follow suit and join these critical efforts. It is recognized that robust partnerships within the private sector can significantly help expand educational and career opportunities that are better matched to the diverse strengths and genuine interests of program participants, creating a wider net of support and opportunity.
To further amplify awareness and share the program’s compelling impact stories, KFC has proactively released a three-part short film series. These films artfully showcase the innovative work & study curriculum of KFC Bucket Search, vividly demonstrating how the program ingeniously integrates real-life work experience at KFC stores with flexible, adaptive learning. This integration allows participants to effectively convert their time on the job into valuable academic credits, thereby helping them to re-engage with education and reignite their ambitions for a brighter future. Interested viewers can watch all three short films and stay updated on the KFC Bucket Search Program by following the KFC Foundation TH Facebook page.
The KFC Bucket Search Program itself is a dedicated collaborative effort between KFC Foundation Thailand and the Equitable Education Fund (EEF). It is resolutely dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for school dropouts to return to education and fulfill their often untapped potential. The program offers a highly flexible curriculum, meticulously tailored to each participant’s specific interests and strengths — whether that involves learning vital vocational skills through hands-on experience at KFC restaurants or developing other essential life skills, such as English for business and entrepreneurship.
This initiative focuses on empowering participants with the necessary knowledge, expertise, and practical skills required to pursue a fulfilling career, enhance their livelihoods, and happily reintegrate into society with newfound confidence and purpose. Program participants receive comprehensive support, which includes crucial funding, educational materials, and other benefits, all designed to ensure that every young person has an equal opportunity to grow and thrive. This commitment reflects KFC’s long-standing dedication to community betterment, an ethos inspired by its founder, Colonel Harland Sanders.
KFC’s significant presence in Thailand began with its first store opening in 1984 at Central Ladprao Department Store, and it has since expanded to operate more than 1,157 branches nationwide as of April 2025. The KFC brand in Thailand is administered by Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) Company Limited and operated by three key franchisees: Central Restaurants Group Co., Ltd. (CRG), Restaurants Development Co., Ltd. (RD), and The QSR of Asia Co., Ltd (QSA).
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