Prime Minister Anutin praised the 'Resilient Thailand' concept from NDC Class 68, highlighting the 'Strong Within' approach to advance three missions: transforming the economy, reforming the government, and developing people, while urging the NDC network to join in shaping the country's future.
At 9:00 a.m. on 7 September 2026, at the multipurpose building of the National Defence College, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Chanvirakul chaired the NDC’68 Symposium under the theme 'Resilient Thailand' presented by the 68th class of the National Defence College program.
Before the opening ceremony, attendees stood in silent tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, Krom Luang Rajsarinisirinpatcharawadee Maha Vajraratchathida.
Ms. Lalida Pertvivattana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that the Prime Minister remarked that the valuable lessons from NDC go beyond classroom knowledge; they provide opportunities to view Thailand from multiple perspectives and build networks of those responsible for driving the nation's future.
The Prime Minister said the 'Resilient Thailand' concept aligns with Thailand’s key challenges amid rapidly changing global dynamics in geopolitics, trade rules, AI technology, energy, and demographics. National security in the modern era should extend beyond defending against external threats to building internal strength—being prepared to anticipate changes, plan ahead, and turn external challenges into opportunities.
He stated that building a strong Thailand from within requires advancing three missions. First, transforming the economic engine: Thailand must maintain strengths in manufacturing, exports, tourism, and services while accelerating the creation of new economic bases and promoting investment in future industries such as AI and digital technology, semiconductors and advanced electronics, next-generation vehicles, clean energy, medical industries, and defense industries, which are vital for national capability and security.
"Thailand should not merely be a location for factories but a country that attracts high-quality investment and creates opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs to enter higher-value chains," the Prime Minister said, reaffirming the goal to elevate Thailand’s economy from middle-income to high-income status.
Second, reforming the civil service toward a 'Better Government': the public sector must be more efficient, agile, and better aligned with national needs. Reform is not only about reducing numbers but transforming mindsets, working methods, and the state's role to reduce burdens and unnecessary procedures where citizens and the private sector can act, while strengthening strategic and critical national missions.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the government must aim for a 'Better Government' that not only increases output but also improves quality, speed, and delivers results that citizens can truly experience.
Third, developing people: the Prime Minister stressed that the most crucial factor for national competitiveness is "people." The country’s best investment is not only in infrastructure but in cultivating individuals with knowledge, skills, and the ability to leverage infrastructure, technology, and new opportunities to create value and a future for the nation.
He explained that 'Strong Within' does not mean closing off the country but making Thailand strong enough to open up and connect with the world effectively—attracting investment, technology, knowledge, and skilled personnel—while using internal strength as a foundation for competition and benefits for Thai people. He expressed readiness to consider the findings of NDC Class 68, especially proposals that can be developed into policies or implemented, so that ideas from learning and brainstorming translate into concrete action.
At the end, the Prime Minister urged the NDC network to be a key force in driving national change through communication, listening, and building public understanding, so all sectors share common goals, comprehend Thailand’s direction, and participate in shaping the country’s future.
"I want the NDC network to be more than just a network of leaders; it should be a network of understanding and action, because change cannot happen if people do not know where we are heading," the Prime Minister said.