Bangkok: "Sophon" highlights the power of youth as the foundation of democracy, vowing to expand activities to the regions by 2027. He is delighted by the large number of children taking selfies and signing up as fan club members. Mr. Sophon Saram, President of the Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives, presided over the awards ceremony for the 2026 Innovation Contest for Democracy Development. Fifteen awards were presented in the final round, selected from 99 entries nationwide. The ceremony was attended by Ms. Nan Bunthida Somchai, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Members of Parliament, House of Representatives executives, teachers, students, community members, and representatives from various organizations.
According to Thai News Agency, the Speaker of Parliament congratulated the students, educational institutions, and organizations that received awards, noting that the competition was a project that promoted and reflected the potential of schools, youth, communities, and organizations. Since assuming the position of Speaker, his aspiration has been to develop youth, which is crucial for the flourishing of democracy in Thailand. He emphasized that positive outcomes must begin with children and youth. The Parliament hopes that projects such as the parliamentary debate, mock parliament, and the innovation competition for democratic development will continue. By 2027, the Parliament will expand its activities to the regional level and intensify their efforts to provide more opportunities for students and youth to express themselves, contribute ideas, and participate actively in democracy.
Mr. Sophon further stated that the future of the country depends on the quality of its people, especially in the situation of declining birth rates in Thailand. Therefore, the Parliament organized a seminar on "Low Birth Rates, Poor Quality," recognizing the importance of developing the quality of children born into the country. At the same time, there are children and youth who lack opportunities, making it the duty of the Parliament and Members of Parliament to work together to seriously support and develop them. He instructed that the activities organized must be concrete and lead to real implementation, not merely ceremonial.
"Thank you to the ministers, MPs, personnel, and officials from all sectors who have collaborated to promote this activity, and I commend the participation of the students and youth. I feel proud and delighted that young people have told me they are fans. It's good to receive compliments, even from older people, because our society needs encouragement. We must not lack appreciation and forgiveness. These things cost nothing, but they will lead to cooperation and well-being for society," Mr. Sophon said.
After delivering his speech, the Speaker of Parliament took a commemorative photo with the attendees, and many students requested to take selfies with him. During the photo session, Mr. Sophon spoke with the students, asking them to write down what they had learned that day, and promising to give them prizes. This was met with a positive response from the students in the area. Another student also told the Speaker to take care of his health.