Thai PM Srettha honoured with President’s Award of Service

The Claremont Graduate University in California, USA, honoured Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with the President’s Award of Service. This award recognises his significant contributions to the public, the promotion of human development, and the advocacy of human rights.

The Thai premier is the first alumnus of Claremont Graduate University to receive this award. The university’s executive team and representatives met with him yesterday, July 9, at the Government House to present the award.

Expressing his gratitude, the Bangkok-born Srettha shared that he felt both surprised and happy, as he had never received such an award before. He described both his position as prime minister and the award as invaluable gifts in his life.

According to the report in The Standard, the 62 year old Thai prime minister stated that he led the Cabinet for just a year and hoped to feel even prouder of this award by the end of his tenure.

During the ceremony, PM Srettha reminisced about his time at Claremont Graduate University, praising it as an excellent institution, located about 45 minutes outside Los Angeles. He appreciated the serene environment, which allowed him to focus on his studies and university life without the distractions of city life.

The PM also recalled the warmth and support he felt from the university and professors, who were always friendly and accessible. He said he was so young at that time, 22 years old but this warmth helped him adjust very well while studying.

The Thai PM also announced plans to collaborate with the university to enable more Thai students to study there, particularly in the MBA programme under the guidance of renowned expert Peter F. Drucker.

Michelle Bligh, Vice President of the university, highlighted PM Srettha’s outstanding achievements among over 24,000 notable alumni. She commended him as a leader who drives change, aligning with the university’s mission.

Bligh praised the Thai prime minister as a good example of promoting social change and advancing human rights on a global scale. She expressed pride in PM Srettha and other Thai alumni.