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.
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.
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.
Its pure concentration as these two friends take part in a painting activity.
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.
Young performers entertain the crowd at Pattaya City Hall.
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.
Perhaps not quite sure what is going on, these youngsters prepare to perform their dances on stage.
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.”
Colorful balloon animals at Royal Garden Plaza.
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.
Young “Golf” happily paints his figurine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Children and parents are treated to horse and buggy rides around the Sanctuary of Truth.
Vigo performs a Magic Show, much to the children’s delight.
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.
Children are excited to take pictures with their favorite hero, Ironman.
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.
“I love this balloon!”
“Nemo” balloons add color to the Royal Garden Plaza.
