Bangkok: Yotchanan delivered his inaugural lecture as a prime ministerial candidate at Thammasat University, drawing a packed audience at the Faculty of Political Science. Students eagerly sought photo opportunities with him, reflecting a strong engagement with the political discourse.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Yotsanu Wongsawat, the Pheu Thai Party's candidate for prime minister, participated as a speaker in the Policy Vision Series. The event focused on education policy, innovation, and Thailand's global role, under the auspices of Thammasat University's Faculty of Political Science. The lecture hall was filled to capacity, with an enthusiastic crowd eager to hear Mr. Yoschanan's insights.
Before the lecture commenced, a large group of students showed keen interest in meeting Mr. Yoschanan, using the opportunity to exchange ideas. The students posed in-depth questions regarding the party's policies and voiced their support for the Pheu Thai Party in the upcoming election. This engagement marked a significant moment in the election cycle, as it was the first special lecture by a Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate at an educational institution.
Mr. Yoschanan's lecture, titled "Education Policy, Innovation, and Thailand on the Global Stage," introduced the "6G Economics: Blueprint for Thailand Advancement." This blueprint aims to elevate Thailand to a high-income nation with a high-value economy driven by science and technology.
The lecture highlighted a "four-pronged crisis" impeding Thailand's progress: Human Capital, where the aging society and skill mismatch limit economic potential; Market Structure, characterized by monopolistic practices hindering SMEs and startups; Technology Capacity, the mid-level technology trap stalling innovation; and Debt Ceiling, with high public and household debt hampering economic growth.
Mr. Yoschanan translated the 2025 Nobel Prize theory of 'creative destruction' into the '6G Blueprint' strategy, envisioning a Thai economy transformed by technology and innovation. The strategy includes promoting smart farming, high-tech manufacturing, and a digital government system to improve transparency and attract global talent. The ultimate goal is to create well-paying jobs for Thais, enhancing skills and incomes through technological integration.
The lecture also outlined urgent policies to uplift citizens' quality of life, such as the "Thai People Without Poverty" policy, financial support for those below the poverty line, and upgrades to the 30-Baht Universal Healthcare Scheme using AI. Additional measures include a 20-Baht flat fare for the BTS Skytrain and educational reforms to achieve world-class standards, all aimed at transitioning Thailand out of the middle-income trap and towards becoming a stable high-income country.