Education minister Chaturong Chaisang said the "Good jobs that you can do" programme could change students' attitudes towards jobs.

"They tend to think that jobs are for those from not so well off families. But in fact those from wealthy families can work for experience and to build pride in themselves," he said.

"The project offers students income and job experience. This will change most students' attitudes toward jobs."

About 1,500 students applied for jobs at about 100 employment booths.

The project provides 200,000 private- and public-sector jobs for secondary-school and university students. It receives Bt200 million in government funding.

The labour ministry had more than 26,000 e-job vacancies, said minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

Students would be paid Bt25 an hour, he added.

The minimum wage in Bangkok is Bt180 a day.

Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said the project was popular in other provinces as well.

Surveys of job preferences and available jobs would be conducted to ensure smoother placements in subsequent years, he said.

The job fair at Nimibut Stadium will continue until tomorrow for private-sector jobs.

Public sector jobs will be offered from Tuesday until March 20 at a reception hall on the second floor of the education ministry's Ratchamangkalapisek Building.