What to Study? 10 In-Demand Fields in Thailand and How to Choose

See 10 groups of fields likely to be in demand, based on the WEF report, plus a practical way to pick one that fits your interests, strengths and real jobs.

Every TCAS season, the same question comes back at the dinner table: what should you study, and which degree actually leads to a job? Your parents may want something stable, while you might not be sure yet what you really enjoy. This article will not tell you which degree is the best. Instead, it looks at 10 groups of fields that are likely to be in demand in Thailand and globally, plus a way of thinking that helps you choose what fits you.

How do we know what the market needs?

Market demand does not come from gut feeling; it comes from big shifts that are already happening. The WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 says the fastest growing jobs in percentage terms are big data specialists, fintech engineers and AI and machine learning specialists, followed by software and applications developers and security management specialists. In Thailand, Thai PBS Policy Watch, citing the Department of Older Persons, notes that the country is entering a complete aged society, which means steadily growing demand for health and care work.

10 groups of fields to watch

1. Computer Science / IT: the foundation of almost every industry, from banking to retail
2. Data Science / AI: in line with the job groups WEF lists as fast growing. The real work is asking good questions of data and building models, not just writing code
3. Software Engineering: organisations building digital products still need people to build and maintain systems
4. Digital Marketing: businesses of every size sell online and need people who understand both content and numbers
5. Accounting and finance with data skills: modern accounting means reading data and using automation tools, and fintech work needs people who understand finance
6. EV / Automation Engineering: WEF places autonomous and electric vehicle specialists among the fast growing jobs
7. UX/UI Design: every product needs someone to design an experience that is easy to use
8. Cybersecurity: the more data organisations hold, the more they need people to protect it
9. Healthcare / Biotech: an ageing society makes nursing, physiotherapy and elderly care more important
10. Logistics / Supply Chain: online shopping makes warehousing and delivery more complex

A note: this is a direction, not a guarantee of a job right after graduation. Popular fields also attract more competition.

How to choose what fits you

1. Use the formula: enjoy x good at x market needs

If you choose only by the market, you may spend four years studying something you dislike. If you choose only by passion, finding a job may be hard. Draw three circles: what you enjoy doing, what you are good at, and what the market needs, then look for the overlap.

2. Look at real jobs, not degree names

One degree can lead to many jobs, and one job hires from many degrees. Open the job listings on Plants.work and see what requirements the roles you like actually list, and which skills keep coming up.

3. Talk to people doing the job

Ask what websites do not tell you: what a real workday looks like, what they like least about the job, and what they would study if they could go back. You can book a conversation with someone in the field through find a Mentor on Plants.work.

Common mistakes

• Choosing because friends did, or because your score was high enough, without checking what the course actually teaches
• Assuming an IT or AI degree guarantees a job, when employers also look at real work
• Ignoring fields that are not on the list, even though languages, psychology or communication can lead to in-demand jobs with the right added skills

Your degree is only the starting point. The skills you build afterwards are what carry you forward.

If you have already graduated and your field is not on the list

You do not need a new degree. Alongside the degree, many employers look at provable skills (certificates, portfolio, projects), real experience (internships, freelance, side projects), your ability to learn, and AI literacy, which helps in almost every field. Read more in Working outside your degree.

Where to start

1. Take the career quiz to see which kinds of work match your interests
2. Pick 2 to 3 fields you like, then read the real university curriculum to see which subjects you would take
3. Open at least 10 job listings in that field and note the skills that come up most
4. Try a short course on that topic in courses from our learning partners to check whether you really enjoy it
5. Talk to at least one person in the field before deciding

Choosing a field is not a single decision that fixes your whole life. If you want help thinking it through, share your interests and strengths with the AI Career Assistant and let it suggest which career paths are worth exploring first.