On 11 August 2025, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, led Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, Chairman of the Princess Maha Chakri Award (PMCA) Foundation, together with 19 members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors from Thailand, and 4 Malaysian recipients of the PMCA, namely Mr. Zainuddin Zakaria (2015), Ms. Hajah Saripah Binti Embong (2017), Mr. Saifulnizan bin Che Ismail (2023), and Mr. Ts. Mohd Rosnizam bin Mohd Yusoff (2025), to call on Dato’ Ts. Dr. Hj. Aminuddin Bin Hassim, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education of Malaysia, at the Ministry of Education.

 

The meeting provided information on the PMCA Foundation’s work in supporting and developing teachers’ potential and extended an invitation to Malaysia’s representatives to attend the 6th Princess Maha Chakri Award Ceremony on 15 October 2025 in Thailand. The Chairman also introduced the concept of the “PMCA Teacher Academy.”

 

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education briefed on the selection process for the PMCA, noting that eligible teachers must have at least 10 years of teaching experience, no less than 5 years of service remaining, strong moral character, professional excellence, creativity, and a significant contribution to education and the community.

 

Ambassador Lada congratulated the Secretary-General on his new appointment, expressed hope for the Ministry of Education of Malaysia’s continued support for the PMCA Foundation, and reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to promote educational cooperation at all levels. The Ambassador also followed up on the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of Malaysia on Cooperation in the Field of Education, with the aim of advancing sustainable bilateral collaboration in the sector.

 

On this occasion, Ambassador Lada hosted a luncheon in honor of Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, the Board of Directors of the Foundation, and the Malaysian PMCA recipients. Afterwards, the delegation, together with the Malaysian PMCA recipients and representatives from the Ministry of Education of Malaysia (Dr. Razianna Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Inspector, Inspectorate of School; Mr. Mustapa bin Daud, Inspectorate of School; and Ms. Zairila binti Zainal, Strategic Planning and Internal Relation Division), met with Thai private sector representatives in Malaysia, including CP Malaysia, PTTEP, Laem Charoen Seafood, and Lotus’s Malaysia, at the Royal Thai Embassy.

 

The Princess Maha Chakri Award is a royal award presented to outstanding teachers whose dedication and contributions have had a broad impact on education and human development. The award covers 14 countries in ASEAN, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Mongolia. Since 2015, one teacher from each country has been selected to receive the award every two years. More details are available at: https://www.facebook.com/PrincessMahaChakriAward.