The Education Ministry will next year ask the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to add Thailand's beloved monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, to the list of the world's eminent personalities.
Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong said the ministry has instructed the foreign affairs division to make preparations to propose that Unesco add the late king to the list because he made great contributions to the nation and the international community.
The late monarch's sufficiency economy philosophy that offers guidelines to strengthen resilience in the face of challenges has been globally recognised, she said.
She added that 2027 would mark the 100th birthday of the late monarch, so the ministry wants to commemorate the auspicious event by submitting its proposal to Unesco.
Atthapol Sangkhawasi, education permanent secretary, said the France-based Unesco honours eminent personalities every year.
Last year, it added Her Royal Highness Princess Galayani Vadhana and renowned writer and scholar Phraya Sisunthonwohan to its prestigious list of Eminent Personalities of the World.
He said the ministry will prepare a brief for the cabinet to consider before it is forwarded to His Majesty the King for approval and the planned nomination.
The ministry expects to finalise the details and get all the necessary paperwork and approvals in place by the end of the year so that, if all goes to plan, it can forward the nomination to Unesco early next year, he said.
He said the ministry decided to nominate the late king for global honour because of his talents in several areas such as painting, sculpture, innovation and technology, sports, music, language, and literature.
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, passed away in 2008 at the age of 84.
She too made significant contributions to promoting education in science, medicine, public health, social administration, international relations, cultural exchange, religion, and arts.
Meanwhile, Phraya Sisunthonwohan (Noi Ajarayangkul), who died in 1891, has been recognised for his poetry as well as his contributions to educational texts for Phratumnuk Suan Kularb School.