The event, held at the Phuket Thai Hua Museum, was opened by Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai, who highlighted that reducing educational inequality is central to sustainable development in Phuket.
“Phuket is a city with diverse cultures, economies and people,” Mr Samawit said. “Developing the city for stable and sustainable growth must begin with human development, particularly investment in education, which is the foundation for all-round progress. I commend Thai PBS for providing a forum for creative ideas to help drive Phuket towards becoming a true learning city.”
The forum was organised by the Public Broadcasting Service of Thailand (Thai PBS) as part of its ‘ED-Possible Cross-Line Classroom’ project, which aims to create a public learning space and strengthen two-way communication between the media, government agencies, educational institutions and the wider community.
Among the officials attending were Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob, Phuket Provincial Education Office Chief Panna Phromwichian and Phuket Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam.
Also present were Phuket Chamber of Commerce Vice President Satsawat Limphanit, Phuket Rajabhat University Faculty of Education Dean Asst Prof Siriwan Chatmaneerungcharoen and several senior academics and Thai PBS executives.
A panel discussion, held under the programme ‘Policy Watch: Keeping an Eye on Thailand’s Future’, focused on ‘Driving Human Capital Development to Develop Phuket into a Sustainable City’ and examined the need for broad collaboration to improve education standards.
Mr Rewat noted that both the public and private sectors must work together if Phuket is to achieve lasting change. “This is a new concept that requires mutual understanding,” he said. “As a Phuket resident, I understand the problems and potential of the area and am ready to support education at all levels to help drive the Ministry of Education’s mission forward.”
Ms Panna added that improving education “cannot be accomplished alone”, stressing the need for cooperation across government, local administrations and the private sector.
Mr Bhummikitti said education remained one of the island’s most complex challenges. “If it were easy, we wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
“This is our opportunity to do things we’ve never done before to achieve transformative results. I encourage all teachers to help pass on a better Phuket to future generations.”
The programme also included a LearnNext Speech session titled ‘The Right Policy: Good Education Begins at the Local Level’, along with creative performances by Phuket youth showcasing the identity and energy of the new generation.
Thai PBS said the event marked another step in integrating collaboration between public agencies, private organisations, the education sector and public media to build a more inclusive learning ecosystem in Phuket, with a focus on quality of life, equal opportunity and sustainable growth.