The Education Ministry has set up a committee tasked with collecting all of the papers Unesco would require to add His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great to the list of the world's eminent personalities, in line with the centennial anniversary of the late monarch's birth in 2027.
Atthapol Sangkhawasi, the permanent secretary at the Education Ministry, said yesterday the ministry had agreed to establish a committee to oversee the collection of all relevant royal projects before submitting the materials to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation by Dec 1, 2024.
Unesco will then send letters of consideration to all of its member countries. Any revisions must be made before the second quarter of 2025 so that the proposal can be presented at Unesco's General Conference in November 2025, Mr Atthapol said.
He said nominees for the category should possess talents or have registered achievements related to Unesco's missions in such areas such as history, education, culture, natural science, humanities or mass communications.
Nominees should also have contributed work that reflects cultural diversity and global values and not have been involved in military affairs or other functions of government, he added.
"Since 1962, Unesco has honoured 31 prominent Thai figures by adding them to its prestigious list of Eminent Personalities of the World. The latest figure to be honoured is the writer and scholar Phraya Sisunthonwohan (Noi Ajarayangkul), known for his contributions to education," said Mr Atthapol.
The list includes 14 Thai kings or other members of the royal family, four monks and 13 commoners, he added.
Unesco has also honoured two historical anniversaries in Thailand, namely the 50th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the 700th anniversary of the founding of the city of Chiang Mai.