TBILISI, Georgia – Thailand has received the top honor at the 2026 United Nations Public Service Awards in the category “Delivering Inclusive and Equitable Services for Leaving No One Behind.” The award was presented in Tbilisi, Georgia, to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, and the Pang Mu Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Mae Hong Son province for an early childhood education program serving ethnic minority and stateless children. The presentation took place during the United Nations Public Service Forum, which was attended by representatives from 62 countries, including government officials, academics, civil society organizations, private-sector leaders, and delegates from international and regional organizations. Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Chuencheewan Limteerakul accepted the award on Thailand’s behalf, accompanied by Pang Mu Subdistrict Administrative Organization President Piriya Tuanglaptweekig and the organization’s permanent secretary.
The award recognized the program, “Equitable Local Early Childhood Education Management for Ethnic Minority and Stateless Children in Pang Mu Subdistrict, Mae Hong Son Province.” United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua presented one of 12 awards across four categories. The United Nations Public Service Awards recognize excellence and innovation in public service that improve service delivery, increase public participation, and advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. The Office of the Permanent Secretary, through the Office of Decentralization to the Local Government Organization Committee, assisted qualified local government organizations with their applications, contributing to Thailand’s success at this year’s awards. (NNT)
