Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture, met with the 10th generation of the 'Thai Youth United in Spirit' program, supporting young people in finding their true selves and living together in a multicultural society before their study visit to the Criminal Court.
At 10:45 a.m. on 2 Feb 2026 GMT+7, at Mida Hotel Don Mueang Airport, Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Minister of Culture, delivered a special lecture on "Living Together in a Multicultural Society" to 120 children and youth from Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala provinces, and four districts of Songkhla province: Chana, Nathawi, Thepha, and Saba Yoi. This was under the 10th generation of the "Thai Youth United in Spirit" project. The event was hosted by Suriyan Hongwilai, Chief Judge of the Office of the President of the Supreme Court and chairman of the project committee, along with his team.
Ms. Sabida greeted the children and youth, expressing her happiness to meet young people from the southern border provinces. She shared that her own family is Muslim, living in Uthai Thani province, where only 2-3 Muslim households exist amid a Buddhist community and schools. Although her friends initially did not understand their way of life and religious practices, continuous explanation helped them appreciate and absorb Muslim culture, enabling peaceful coexistence. This demonstrated that despite different religions, shared culture and multicultural living are possible.
Ms. Sabida also emphasized government policy, which never forces uniformity but promotes diversity, such as accepting Jawi and Malay language schools in the southern region.
Furthermore, Ms. Sabida spoke about the early days of her tenure as Minister of Culture, when she faced pressure and skepticism about how a Muslim could manage the ministry. She confirmed that upon taking office, she met leaders from all religions—Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism—who encouraged her and affirmed that being Muslim is not a limitation in overseeing other faiths. As a Muslim woman who previously served as Deputy Minister of Interior, she viewed this as proof of her capability to fully contribute to national development.
The Minister of Culture encouraged youth to discover themselves, citing her own life example: she once aspired to be an engineer but eventually found a passion for law. She urged young people to enjoy life and avoid excessive stress.
At 1:00 p.m. at the Criminal Court on Ratchada Road, Suriyan Hongwilai, Chief Judge of the Office of the President of the Supreme Court and project chairman, along with his team, led youths from the 10th generation of the "Thai Youth United in Spirit" project to meet Jeeraphat Panthavee, Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, and Songdej Boontham, Secretary of the Criminal Court, for a study visit. The youths toured the Mediation Unit (7th floor), Interrogation Room (1st floor), Detention Order Room (2nd floor), and Rights Protection Center (8th floor) within the Criminal Court building to learn about the real work of justice personnel.
At 3:15 p.m., participants of the 10th generation of "Thai Youth United in Spirit" met with Taweesak Janweerasa-then, Chief Judge of the Juvenile and Family Court, and Kamonsak Chaiyanawitkit, a first-instance judge assisting as Secretary of the Juvenile and Family Court and also a juvenile and family court judge. The youths toured the courtroom to learn about seating arrangements and the roles of various court officials such as judges, prosecutors, and lawyers, as well as the child-friendly atmosphere during hearings. They also visited the detention room on the 1st floor and other parts of the Juvenile and Family Court building.
