The Cabinet has approved the nomination of Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Chinaworawisutthidevavongse to UNESCO as an important world figure on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Buddhist Studies.
On 8 September 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatthana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Cabinet agreed to have the government host a commemorative event honoring Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Chinaworawisutthidevavongse on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Buddhist Studies (1929–2029). The event will highlight his contributions to promoting education, cultural heritage, and the culture of peace, as well as propose his name to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize and celebrate him as an important world figure.
The Cabinet also approved the appointment of an executive committee and various subcommittees to organize the commemorative event. The Ministry of Education, as the secretariat of the National Commission on Education, Science and Culture under the United Nations, will serve as the main agency responsible for submitting the nomination to UNESCO. It will coordinate with the National Office of Buddhism, the Supreme Sangha Council, the Secretariat of the Supreme Patriarch, Mahamakut Buddhist University, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant agencies to prepare supporting documents and seek backing from UNESCO member countries according to established criteria.
Ms. Lalida stated that the Secretariat of the National Commission has set a deadline for agencies wishing to nominate an important figure to submit applications and supporting documents by September 2026. Following this, support from UNESCO member states will be sought in October 2026, and the application with evidence will be submitted to UNESCO for consideration in January 2027.
This nomination follows the centenary of the establishment of "Buddhist Studies" on 24 August 1929, initiated and founded by Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Chinaworawisutthidevavongse. The program offered opportunities for all individuals, including men, women, and youth, to systematically study Buddhist doctrine and take examinations. It represented a significant reform in Buddhist education in Thailand and aligns with UNESCO's principles on education for all, lifelong learning, preservation of cultural heritage, and promotion of a culture of peace.
The Supreme Sangha Council resolved on 10 March 2026 to approve the commemorative project for the 100th anniversary of Buddhist Studies and assigned the National Office of Buddhism to submit the matter to the Supreme Patriarch for proceeding with the UNESCO nomination process. Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakadayana, the Supreme Patriarch, gave his royal command on 3 August 2026 approving the draft biography and record of achievements to serve as reference materials for the UNESCO nomination.
The commemorative project is scheduled to run from 24 August 2029 to 23 August 2030, a one-year period during which the National Office of Buddhism, Ministry of Education, Supreme Sangha Council, Secretariat of the Dhamma Field Headquarters, Mahamakut Buddhist University, the Sangha community, and related agencies will jointly conduct celebratory activities.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office stated that Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Chinaworawisutthidevavongse made significant contributions in education, Buddhist propagation, Sangha administration, and the preservation of the nation's intellectual and cultural heritage. Besides founding Buddhist Studies, he chaired the publication of the Siamese edition of the Tripitaka and established the foundation for systematic and sustainable dissemination of Buddhist doctrine.
He also served as the 11th Supreme Patriarch of the Rattanakosin era for 16 years, from 1921 to 1937. During this time, he played a crucial role in managing Sangha affairs, establishing governance regulations, securing stability in Buddhist education, and founding the Mahamakut Buddhist University Foundation under royal patronage to support education and Sangha activities systematically.
“This nomination to UNESCO is a tribute to and a means to disseminate the honor and achievements of the foundation laid in education, Buddhism, and Thailand's cultural heritage, which continue to have an impact today. In particular, the Buddhist Studies system has endured for nearly a century, serving as significant evidence of his visionary commitment to inclusive education for all,” Ms. Lalida said.