A 9-year-old student from Phuket won two world coding championships in Rome, defeating over 38,000 competitors from 153 countries, prompting Prime Minister Prayut to praise the young champion as proof of Thai children's global potential.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed admiration for "Pawintz" (Pawinit Pattanawekin), a 9-year-old Grade 3 student from Phuket, who won two world coding championships at The International STEM Olympiad & Coding Olympiad 2026 finals in Rome, Italy. The child defeated more than 38,000 competitors from 153 countries and over 1,700 schools worldwide.
Government Spokesman Rachada Thanadirek announced that the PM learned of Pawintz's achievement before attending the World AI Conference in Shanghai, China. The PM congratulated the young champion and praised his dedication, determination, and ability, while also commending his family, teachers, and supporters who played a vital role in enabling Thai youth to demonstrate their talents on the international stage.
The PM stated that Pawintz's success proves Thai children are as capable as any in the world when given proper opportunities and support. He urged all Thai youth to believe in themselves, think boldly, be creative, and never stop learning, as the modern world rewards ability and effort regardless of origin. The PM emphasized that the government stands ready to create opportunities for Thai children and views this achievement as an inspiration for countless others to pursue global recognition. "The government congratulates Pawintz on bringing honor and pride to Thailand. This success will inspire many Thai children to see that with determination and good opportunities, they too can reach the world stage," the PM said.