Chonburi, Thailand – More than 1,800 students, teachers and staff attended an event to mark the International Day of Peace at the Eastern College of Technology in Chonburi, Thailand, on September 20, 2024.
Nationwide, more than 3,000 schools, colleges, universities, government offices and private organizations, and almost 1 million students and others, participated in similar programs, initiated by UPF-Thailand and supported by the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior, Royal Thai Army and government and private organizations.
The program in Chonburi included a peace message from Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, read by Mr. Pratya Unphetwarakon, deputy governor of Chonburi Province. Gen. Terdsak Marrome, president of UPF–Thailand, addressed the crowd, followed by a message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, read in English by Mrs. Ursula McLackland, secretary general of UPF-Asia Pacific, and in Thai by E. Tech student Mr. Thanapat Chatchuea.
The messages were followed by a one-minute prayer for peace in the family, community, society, nation and world.
This national project, carried out by UPF-Thailand for over 20 years, has raised awareness of the need for peace and peacebuilding and has impacted the entire nation.
By Ursula McLackland, Secretary General, UPF-Asia Pacific September 20, 2024
