Students and Teachers Across Thailand Unite to Pray for Peace
Bangkok, Thailand – More than 600 schools, educational institutions and government agencies nationwide took part in the annual commemoration of the International Day of Peace in the month of September, organized by UPF-Thailand. The event, "Reading of the Peace Messages and 1-Minute Silence for Peace," followed the theme given by the United Nations, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” and was supported by the Ministry of Education and the Royal Thai Government. Various events took place from September 1 to 30, 2026.
UPF-Thailand was honored to receive a message of peace from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Prime ministers of Thailand have supported this annual project by providing a peace message every year for more than 22 years.
The main event was held on September 10, 2026, at the Eastern College of Technology (E-Tech) in Chonburi province, with over 8,000 students, teachers and government officials in attendance. Mr. Kamol Thananopavarn, secretary general of UPF-Thailand, served as the master of ceremonies. Following the morning flag-raising ceremony, Dr. Prasert Klinchoo, director of E-Tech, gave a welcoming speech.
Next, General Terdsak Marrome, president of UPF-Thailand, read the UPF-Thailand peace message. This was followed by the vice governor of Chonburi Province, Mr. Isara Charoenchasri, reading the peace message from the prime minister of Thailand. The peace message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres was then read in English by Dr. Lek Thaveetermsakul, vice president of UPF- Thailand, and in Thai by Ms. Patsara Janchana, an E-Tech student. The event concluded with a minute of silent prayer for peace.
The project aims to achieve the following goals:
To cultivate a culture of peace, fostering awareness and collective participation in building and promoting peace.
To support and encourage reconciliation, harmony and tranquility, starting from the individual, family, community and educational institutions, and extending to society, the nation and the world.
To create a positive and constructive force that prioritizes peace, allowing it to emerge and grow sustainably.
To commemorate and offer prayers for peace and reconciliation to prevail within oneself, one's family, society, the nation and the world.
This year, participants at more than 600 venues included approximately 160 thousand students and teachers nationwide.
