Young dancers from the Wat
Chaimongkol Children’s Development Center perform a “Seenuan” dance, much to the
delight of their parents in the audience. It was that special time again, when
the entire Kingdom celebrated the future: our children. On their very own day,
imagination became reality for Eastern Seaboard kids as the area’s annual
Children’s Day celebrations offered opportunities to play fireman, soldier and
superhero.
Staff reporters
Imagination became reality for Eastern Seaboard kids as the area’s
annual Children’s Day celebrations offered opportunities to play fireman,
soldier and superhero.
Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, city council members and city hall officials
were on hand early for the Jan. 11 event, which followed the government’s motto
of “Be grateful, be responsible, be disciplined, strengthen Thailand for
prosperity.”
Traffic in front of city hall was blocked to let hundreds of kids run wild.
Businesses, including the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Dusit Thani
Hotel, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden brought free
drinks and staged game booths offering prizes.
The impromptu fairground’s main draw, however, were the displays of military
vehicles from the Royal Thai Army and Marine Corps, including 37-, 40-, and
130-mm artillery. The Pattaya Disaster Relief and Mitigation Department also
offered rides on crane trucks while civil servants offered tours of city
offices.
Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho and Chonburi Deputy Gov. Pornchai
Kwansakul did their part at separate events in Banglamung and Chonburi City
Hall, offering food, beverages and gifts to children.
Similar scenes were repeated throughout the city, with thousands of parents
taking their children out for fun and games at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Central
Festival Pattaya Beach, the Sanctuary of Truth, Royal Garden Plaza, and other
attractions.
BHP offered free medical services to children, handed out gifts and had kids
spread cheer by visiting ill patients.
At the Sanctuary of Truth, kids enjoyed games such as “spider teacher,” carriage
rides and lamb feeding.
Central Festival joined with the Hilton Pattaya, Power Buy and other merchants
for its Children’s Day event, titled, “Kids Wish Day”. General Manager
Theeraporn Jitnawa and Pattaya Police Superintendent Col. Suwan Cheaonawinthawat
passed out presents, whilst youngsters took to the stage to dance to famous
songs, such as Kho Jai Thur Laek Bur Tho and Ying Lanla.
Royal Garden Plaza organized activities such as “Balloon World” with colorful
cartoon sculptures made out of balloons, magic show from P’Vigo Magic, balloon
animal lessons and games to win 2,014 gifts. In addition, Ripley’s Believe It or
Not! organized Children’s Day performances from famous movie characters from
“Transformers,” “Iron Man “and “Pacific Rim.”
In Sattahip, top navy, local and police officials handed out scholarships at the
Sea Turtle Conservation Center while kids took part in conservation activities,
including learning about endangered turtles and mangrove forests. Health care
and anti-drug lectures were staged and military weapons shown off. Gifts
including sporting goods and toys also were distributed.
The big guns came out, however, at separate Royal Thai Navy-organized events at
the Sattahip Naval Base and Air and Coastal Defense Command.
More than 30,000 parents and children turned out at Juk Samet Pier to tour
Thailand’s only aircraft carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, and three other
ships. The kids were treated to gifts, weapons demonstrations and games.
At the Air and Coastal Defense Command airstrip at U-Tapao, kids checked out six
planes, including firefighting planes and fighters, plus a variety of
helicopters. A low flyby from an F-16 jet excited kids on the ground, who also
checked out guns, radar units and vehicles from the Royal Thai Marine Corps.
A unit of paratroopers capped the day, which also featured stage performances,
games and gift distributions.
Young performers entertain the crowd
at Pattaya City Hall.
Its pure concentration as these two
friends take part in a painting activity.
Perhaps not quite sure what is going
on, these youngsters prepare to perform their dances on stage.
Colorful balloon animals at Royal
Garden Plaza.
Surat Mekavarakul (back left), MD of
Mike Group, presents awards to children who performed in the talent show on
Children Day at Wat Chaimongkol Children’s Development Center.
Young “Golf” happily paints his
figurine.
Children not only have fun at the
Navy’s Sea Turtle Center, but they also learn lessons about conserving the
environment.
Sisters Nick and Nuk assemble a
jigsaw puzzle.
Young dancers from the Wat
Chaimongkol Children’s Development Center perform a “Seenuan” dance.
Young friends feed the goats at the
Sanctuary of Truth.
Parents present gifts to their
children after their children’s stage performance on Children’s Day at Wat
Chaimongkol Children’s Development Center.
Vigo performs a Magic Show, much to
the children’s delight.
Children and parents are treated to
horse and buggy rides around the Sanctuary of Truth.
Children pose for a photo with the
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya nurse mascot.
Balloon Man puts on quite a show at
Royal Garden.
Focusing in on the HTMS Chakri
Naruebet, Thailand’s only aircraft carrier.
The bouncy slide is always a major
attraction on Children’s Day.
GM Sayan Nakboon (left) and
Marketing Manager Kamphol Sirisomboonlarp (right), both representing Central
Pattana, present a giant teddy bear to a lucky winner at Central Center Pattaya.
U-Tapao air base was opened to the
public on Children’s Day.
Pattaya police superintendent, Pol.
Col. Suwan Chiewnawinthawat, hands out gifts to children on Children’s Day.
Beaming smiles prevail during
Children’s Day activities at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, Pattaya.
Children are mesmerized by the
Balloon Man Show at Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya.
Children are excited to take pictures
with their favorite hero, Ironman.
“I love this balloon!”
“Nemo” balloons add color to the
Royal Garden Plaza.
