"Anutin" presents TZD+ 69 honorary award to "Srettha," the initiative's founder — excited that his former superior came in person, thanks him for the honour and blessing, and for always offering good advice. Over 2–3 years, out-of-school children have fallen to 600,000. He highlights driving progress through area-based mechanisms and the private sector, and invites provincial Red Cross chapter presidents — the governors' wives — to volunteer in searching for children to bring back into the system.
Today (24 Jul.), at Government House, at 15:30 hrs., Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, presided over the Prime Minister's Thailand Zero Dropout Plus Awards (TZD+) ceremony for 2026. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, former Prime Minister, received an honorary award in recognition of his role as the initiator who pushed "Thailand Zero Dropout" into a national mission — returning opportunities and a future to out-of-school children and youth in Thailand.
The Prime Minister said: "I must say I am excited. Today my former superior has come here in person. I consider that, in whatever capacity, I served as a Cabinet member in Mr. Srettha Thavisin's Cabinet, during which time I was entrusted with the mission of overseeing the Ministry of Interior, while at that time Police General Permpoon Chidchob was serving as Minister of Education. This project is regarded as one that was initiated by Mr. Srettha and the Ministry of Education, which then carried it forward so that the policy could achieve its goals."
"I would also like to congratulate all award recipients today, who have proven that when every sector works together, we can fill the lives of children and youth and make them the future of the country. The government places great importance on educational equity. I believe the most important resource of the nation is the potential of the people. Countries that are advanced and developed in the world develop people in every dimension — family life development, early childhood enhancement, research and education, and skill development or lifelong learning. Therefore, Thailand must invest in human capital in every dimension and every age group, especially during the years of schooling, where we must jointly solve the problem of children and youth falling out of the education system until it is fully resolved. Because children who drop out of the education system do not only drop out of the classroom — they also drop out of many other opportunities. For this reason, the government has continued to support this policy and elevated it to the Prime Minister's Thailand Zero Dropout Plus, which does not merely aim to bring children back to the classroom, but to lead them toward a secure future with the skills demanded by the labour market, enabling them to pursue quality careers and contribute to the nation's development going forward."
The Prime Minister also said: "I am pleased to learn that, through the cooperation of all sectors, the number of out-of-school children and youth has decreased from over one million to approximately 600,000. In just 2–3 years, we have managed to reduce their numbers by nearly half. This is the result of taking action seriously, and it is proof that when Thai society works together, we can create tangible change."
"I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr. Srettha Thavisin for being the initiator of this policy, and to thank Mr. Prasert Jantararuangtong, Minister of Education, for carrying this policy forward continuously, and to Police General Permpoon Chidchob, who was Minister of Education at that time — since the project has proven so beneficial, he has been appointed to chair the said committee. I also thank the provincial department heads who have collectively driven this forward until it has yielded concrete results that are truly worthy of recognition."
The Prime Minister further said: "The key is continuous work from the policy level all the way down to the ground level. I therefore ask every provincial governor, in their capacity as provincial-level chairperson, to search for children on an individual basis, connect them with assistance, follow up continuously, and help unlock the obstacles that impede children's learning."
"I would also like to ask the provincial Red Cross chapter presidents — though they are not civil servants, they are the spouses of provincial governors — to lend a hand to their life partners in doing good things. In their role as Red Cross chapter president, what must be done is to closely look after children and families — their well-being, health, welfare, and social protection. This is a form of social service, a type of volunteerism that all of us are already ready and willing to provide."
"I would also like to invite the private sector to come and participate in reducing educational inequality, and to regard what is being done here as a long-term investment. Because helping one child gain an education, skills, employment, and a school to attend is equivalent to adding a quality person to the country. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients today, and I hope that everyone sees these awards as inspiration and as an expression of appreciation, respect, and admiration for your dedication and commitment that has led to this success. But this is not the end of our shared mission, because the future of the nation depends on its children and youth, and the future of those children and youth does not depend on any single individual — it is the duty of all of society to collectively nurture it, for a strong and sustainable future for Thailand."
"Congratulations and my deepest gratitude to Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand, for graciously honouring us with your presence at this event. This is a most auspicious and deeply meaningful occasion that will serve as an inspiration to everyone. For me personally, your stepping into your old office is a blessing, and I hope that, given the relationship of respect I have always had for you, you will continue to offer good advice and insights in the carrying out of official duties, as you have consistently done. That is why I mention you often — it is a reflection of what I have received from you. I wish everyone progress and success in the future, both in work and career and in personal life, and I wish everyone good health."
