Thailand Prime Minister champions Positive Parenting - Faith & Freedom News

On 6 May 2025, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra showed her commitment to the well-being of Thai families and children by hosting the official launch of “Mind Month” at the Santi Maitri Building, Government House. The event marked the formal designation of the month of May as Thailand’s National Month for Mental Health Awareness, following the Cabinet endorsement of a proposal submitted by the Department of Mental Health. This marks the first time Thailand has declared a dedicated month to promote mental health and well-being, with this year’s theme “Mental Health is Everyone’s Business”.

As Thai society experiences rapid urbanization, technological advancement, and shifting family dynamics, parenting practices are also evolving. Modern lifestyles have introduced new challenges to family relationships—such as work-life imbalance, widening generational gaps, and rising mental health concerns. In this context, one of the main focus of Mind Month is positive parenting and strengthening family support systems as key foundations for mental well-being.

Speaking as both a national leader and a mother, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of nurturing home environments, early intervention, and reducing stigma around mental health.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spoke about the importance of family in supporting mental health and overall well-being during the Mind Month event on 6 May 2025. Photo credit: Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health

The Prime Minister also highlighted from her experience that a household that offers emotional safety, mutual support, and open communication helps raise emotionally resilient and well-rounded individuals.

The event was organized by the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health. Key government leaders in attendance included Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, Permanent Secretary Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, and Department of Mental Health Director-General Dr. Kittisak Aksornwong.

During the event, Dr. Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand, and Dr. Olivia Nieveras, Senior Public Health Specialist, joined the Department of Mental Health in advocating for evidenced-based parenting, supported by LEGO Foundation. The Thai Pre-school Parenting Program, initiated in rural areas under Royal patronage, is a structured intervention consisting of four interactive sessions between trained facilitators and parents, guardians, and caregivers. The program aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in child-rearing, focusing on nurturing, promoting age-appropriate development, and establishing positive discipline in early childhood.

To date, the programme has reached nearly 6,000 families, with a goal of expanding to 50,000 families by 2025 and 300,000 families by 2028. Evaluation results of the intervention indicate significant improvements, the proportion of children demonstrating age-appropriate development increased from 67% to 85%, and emotional intelligence (EQ) scores rose from 38% to 53%.

Exhibition booth on Parenting with Dr Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand, Dr. Dutsadee Juengsiragulwit, Director at Department of Mental Health, Ms. Amara Thanasuparatana, Pediatric nurse at Department of Mental Health, WHO and UNICEF officials. Photo credit: WHO Thailand

The event concluded with a roundtable dialogue between Prime Minister Paetongtarn and participating families, creating a rare and meaningful space for engagement. During the session, parents and children openly shared their personal experiences, challenges they face, and exchanging tips in managing emotional stress and practical strategies for positive parenting in daily life. The Prime Minister actively listened and responded with encouragement, reinforcing the government’s commitment to placing families and mental health at the center of national development.

The endorsement of Mind Month and its focus on positive parenting marks a significant milestone in Thailand’s commitment to mental health. It reflects a national effort to strengthen family resilience, support child development, and foster a more emotionally connected and compassionate society.

In another development, Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrived in Hà Nội on Thursday, beginning her two-day official visit to Việt Nam at the invitation of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

The Thai PM was welcomed at Nội Bài International Airport by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phạm Việt Hùng.

During this visit, PM Chính and PM Paetongtarn will co-chair the 4th Việt Nam – Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting,

PM Paetongtarn’s government places great importance on strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries, including Việt Nam, particularly in terms of economics and tourism.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Bangkok, Ambassador Hùng stated that Paetongtarn’s trip marks the first official visit by a Thai PM in 11 years, since PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit in 2014. It comes at a significant time when the two countries are looking forward to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1976–2026), an important milestone in the history of their bilateral ties.

Against the backdrop of the enhanced strategic partnership, which has seen comprehensive and substantive development across various fields, the visit offers an important opportunity for the two countries to elevate their relationship to a new height in a more practical and effective manner, the diplomat said. —