Visit Lao PDR 2025
September 2025 – The delegation from the Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation (PMCAF), led by Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, Chairman of the PMCAF visited Lao PDR from September 7–9, 2025, as part of the Foundation’s commitment to recognize and support outstanding teachers in 14 countries across Asia. The purposes of the visit are to pay a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR and meet the 2025 Princess Maha Chakri Award recipient from Lao PDR,Mrs. Bounma Phothilath, from Chansavang High School
On 8 September 2025, Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, Chairman of the Foundation, together with Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi, Ambassador of Thailand to Vientiane, led the Foundation’s delegation to the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR. The delegation met with Mr. Sengsaden Bounlavong, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr. Por Tudavanh Nhomuangsed, Director General of the Department of Organization and Personnel, along with senior officials and executives of the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Also present at the meeting were all six Princess Maha Chakri Award recipients from Lao PDR:
- Mrs. Khamsoy Vongsamphan (2015), Advisor at Chansavang High School, Vientiane
- Mrs. Khunvilai Khengkittisak (2017), Principal of Thung Kang School, Vientiane
- Mr. Phaisanith Panyasavath (2019), Deputy Director of Mai Tham Somboon School, Luang Prabang
- Ms. Saengphet Bounprased (2021), Teacher at Oudomxay High School, Oudomxay Province
- Mrs. Kimfueang Heuangmanee (2023), Pheermai Primary School, Sekong Province
Mrs. Bounma Photolath (2025), Principal of Chansavang High School, Vientiane
The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and the Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation. The delegation also provided information on the upcoming 6th Princess Maha Chakri Award Ceremony, scheduled to be held on 15 October 2025 in Thailand, and shared updates on related activities aimed at further fostering continued cooperation between the two countries.
Royal Thai Embassy, Vientiane
On the afternoon of 8 September 2025, Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, Chairman of the PMCAF, led the delegation to meet Ms. Morakot Srisawat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vientiane. They were warmly welcomed by Ms. Panthana Prakobchat, Minister-Counselor, and the embassy staff. The delegation also met with representatives of the Thai private sector in Lao PDR and Lao media to introduce the Princess Maha Chakri Award recipient from Lao PDR. Mr. Sisamout Saenbouttaraj, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, also participated in the event.
During the meeting, the Foundation’s committee, the Ambassador, and the Thai private sector in the Lao PDR—including CP Lao, PTT Lao, CK Power, Mitr Lao Sugar Co., Ltd, Monsoon Wind Lao, Amata City Lao, and Hongsa Power Plant—discussed the contributions of Thai enterprises in supporting education, vocational training, job creation, community development, and quality of life improvement in the Lao PDR. These efforts also extend to supporting schools and the work of Princess Maha Chakri Award teachers from the 1st to 6th cohorts.
The private sector in the Lao PDR has played a vital role in providing tangible support to education and teachers. Their contribution goes beyond economic investment, directly assisting schools and educational communities. For example, CP Lao has initiated a school-based chicken farming project in Luang Prabang, providing both school lunches and agricultural knowledge for students. CK Power has supported schools with construction materials for classroom repairs and trained vocational students in proper use of building materials.
In recent years, several companies have extended support to Princess Maha Chakri Award teachers in particular. Mitr Lao (a subsidiary of Mitr Phol Sugar Group) helped repair the roof of the school led by Ms. Khounvilai Khengkittisak, Awardee of 2017, and collaborated with her to train teachers in Mitr Lao’s operational areas. The company also established a nursery to provide care and early childhood development for workers’ children. Monsoon Wind Lao supported local teachers by assisting with electrical system maintenance at Ban Phia Mai School, Lamam District, Sekong Province—the school of Ms. Kimfueang Hueangmany, Awardee of 2023—and by providing school lunches. Meanwhile, Hongsa Power Plant has supported learning activities in Luang Prabang and set up a youth volunteer club to enhance educational engagement.
Other companies such as Betagro Lao, ACG Lao, and Rad Lao have also contributed through scholarships, school building construction, and community-based educational development. These partnerships highlight the role of the private sector in Lao PDR as key partners of teachers and schools, creating greater educational opportunities and strengthening learning quality in a sustainable way.
This joint discussion further paved the way for future cooperation in supporting Princess Maha Chakri Award teachers, both by expanding outreach and enhancing assistance. Collaboration will continue between the Thai private sector in the Lao PDR, the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, the Foundation, and the Social Committee, in which Thai enterprises are represented, to carry forward this partnership in education development.
Somboonchansawang Secondary School
On the afternoon of September 9, 2025, Dr. Krisanapong Keeratikara, Chairman of the Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation (PMCAF), along with the Foundation’s delegation, visited Somboon Chansawang High School in Si Khot Province, Vientiane, to meet Ms. Bunma Pothilad, the 2025 Princess Maha Chakri Award recipient from Laos. The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Pimphida Rawirut Thanarat, Advisor at the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Ms. Viengphan Chayalath, Academic Officer, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Sports, and previous PMCAF awardees from Laos, cohorts 1st–6th
The visit was warmly welcomed by Mr. Tavichai Hema Chomphu, Governor of Si Khot (District Chief), Mr. Chanthamani Saipasert, Secretary to the Governor, Ms. Lipaeia Leebua Pao, Head of the Education and Sports Division of Vientiane Capital, Phra Ajahn Somyos Saengsawang, Abbot of Wat Chansawang, and the monastic community. Also present were Ms. Thummee Thummawong, President of the Parents’ Association, Mr. Thongkham Phommichai, Association Advisor, local community leaders, parents, teachers, and students.
Ms. Bunma, who has devoted nearly 20 years to education, serves as both an administrator and a teacher of chemistry and science at Somboon Chansawang High School, which accommodates nearly 2,000 students from diverse backgrounds, including underprivileged children, children with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and novice monks. The school operates in alternating morning and afternoon sessions.
During the visit, the delegation observed a chemistry demonstration by Ms. Bunma on the topic “Harmful Effects of Drugs” (Chemistry and Their Impact on the Human Body). She employed live demonstrations to enhance students’ understanding, such as comparing changes in a fresh liver soaked in plain water versus distilled liquor to show the effects of different substances on the organ. The delegation also toured a classroom of over 100 students, the computer lab, and the library. In addition, discussions were held on challenges and future directions for educational development.
The school also emphasizes life skills, such as community product creation, sales activities, and growing vegetables for school lunches. Despite limited resources, Ms. Bunma’s dedication and collaboration with the community and private sector have allowed the school to maintain high academic standards, enabling many students to continue to higher education and secure stable careers.
The visit concluded with a warm “Bai Sri Su Kwan” blessing ceremony and a shared meal with teachers and community members before the delegation’s departure.
