"Lt. Col. Thammanat and Minister Narumon" led the 70th Teacher's Day event at the Teachers' Council Auditorium, remembering the invaluable contributions of teachers and honoring Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Mother and Teacher of the Land.
On 16 Jan 2026 GMT+7, reporters noted that the Ministry of Education held the 70th Teacher's Day event at the Teachers' Council Auditorium in Bangkok under the theme "The One Who is Both Mother and Teacher of the Land." This honored Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over the ceremony, joined by Mrs. Narumon Pinyo Sinwat, Minister of Education, and Mr. Ong-art Wongprayoon, Deputy Minister of Education, along with political officials, senior Ministry of Education executives, and teacher representatives nationwide. The Secretariat of the Teachers' Council was primarily responsible for organizing the event simultaneously at central and regional levels to recognize and honor education professionals and contributors to the education sector publicly.
The morning atmosphere included a merit-making ceremony with 93 Buddhist monks, a royal merit dedication for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, tributes to deceased teachers, and merit-making for the well-being of teachers and education personnel before the official proceedings began.
At the same occasion, Lt. Col. Thammanat chaired the award ceremony honoring 232 education professionals across 11 categories, such as National Education Contributors Award, Teachers' Council Award, Outstanding Teacher Award, One School One Innovation Award, Next Generation Teacher Award, Best Practice Educational Institution Award, Phra Phutthasothon Award, and Teacher of the Heart Award. These awards reflect the vital role and value of teachers as key agents in sustainable education development and the nation's future.
Subsequently, Mrs. Narumon stated that Teacher's Day was first established on 16 Jan 1957 and that this year marks the 70th celebration. The event aims to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, remember the gratitude owed to former educators, promote unity between teachers and the public, and recognize teachers and education personnel who have contributed good deeds and benefits to national education.
"Since I took office as Minister of Education, under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, the Ministry has advanced policies prioritizing teachers as the heart of raising education quality. This includes career advancement, more flexible qualification criteria, welfare support—especially teacher housing projects—and addressing teacher debt through consolidation and restructuring to reduce interest burdens and boost morale so teachers can perform their duties to their full potential," said the Minister of Education.
Lt. Col. Thammanat opened the event by saying Teacher's Day is an important occasion to collectively reflect on the value of teachers, who are like second parents in life. He paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Mother and Teacher of the Land. From his personal experience accompanying royal visits in the past, he witnessed her compassion and royal duties dedicated to sustainably improving people's quality of life.
He expressed a lifelong bond and gratitude toward teachers. Regarding teachers' quality of life, especially housing and debt burdens, the government places great importance on these issues. When teachers have good living conditions, they can fulfill their role as the nation's role models with dignity. He encouraged teachers and education personnel nationwide to remain steadfast in their ideals, not to lose heart, and affirmed continued efforts to promote policies improving teachers' quality of life.