Youngsters perform the latest dance style with their friends, the dancing sea animals, at Royal Garden Plaza. Saturday, January 12 was once again one of their favorite days of the year – Children’s Day, and from navy ships to city halls, airports to shopping malls, children were everywhere as the Eastern Seaboard celebrated Thailand’s annual festival for little ones.
From navy ships to city halls, airports to shopping malls, children were everywhere as the Eastern Seaboard celebrated Thailand’s annual Children’s Day.
Pattaya deputy mayors Wutisak Rermkitkarn and Wattana Chantanawaranon opened festivities in Pattaya early Jan. 12, giving youngsters the tall orders of “Be Disciplined, Enhance Knowledge, and Move Toward ASEAN,” as laid out in the national Children’s Day motto.
Youngsters perform the latest dance style with their friends, the dancing sea animals, at Royal Garden Plaza. Saturday, January 12 was once again one of their favorite days of the year – Children’s Day, and from navy ships to city halls, airports to shopping malls, children were everywhere as the Eastern Seaboard celebrated Thailand’s annual festival for little ones.
North Pattaya Road traffic at city hall was blocked to let hundreds of kids run wild. Businesses brought free drinks and children enjoyed games, booths and won prizes. The impromptu fairground saw displays of military vehicles from the Royal Thai Army and Marine Corps, rides on crane trucks from the Pattaya Disaster Relief and Mitigation Department and booths with games, food and refreshments.
Similar scenes were repeated throughout the city, with thousands of parents taking their children out for fun and games at Central Festival Pattaya Beach, the Sanctuary of Truth, Royal Garden Plaza, and other attractions.
Young Marines PFC Bret Mays (left) stands with other kids on a Royal Thai Marine Corps AAVP-7. The bow of the Royal Thai Navy’s Aircraft Carrier, CVS 911, can be seen in the background.
At the Sanctuary of Truth, kids enjoyed dharma lessons, activity centers, art, bingo, wood carving and a history exhibition. Other activities included kite running, takraw hoop games, tours of the sanctuary, and wood-carving lectures.
Royal Garden Plaza prepared more than 5,000 gifts for children under the theme “Adventure in Pirate Lands,” consisting of various activities including coloring plastic sea animal dolls, coloring plastic bags to reduce global warming and stage performances for children to show their talents while marine mascots helped build the fun.
Schoolgirls do their best Gangnan performance at Royal Garden Plaza.
At Central Festival, organizers welcomed Children’s Day with a circus expo performance, game booths, gifts and a fashion show.
In Chonburi, Chonburi Gov. Khomsan Ekachai was on hand for festivities at Chonburi City Hall.
The celebration featured performances on stage, music performances by Thai artists and culture performances. There also were reading exercises, local sports competitions, quizzes, sling shots, indoor flying and other skills. Finally, the event offered an exhibition on HM the King’s missions and a room for kids to pay their respects to Lord Buddha.
In Sattahip, both military and civilian officials threw open their doors for kids, with Mayor Phawat Lertmukda presiding over the official event at Bao Tao Than kindergarten. It featured a Muay Thai boxing exhibition by 13-year-old Angkhana Samphaongern, a former student there.
Several thousand more kids were given a tour of Thailand’s only aircraft carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet.
At the Air and Coastal Defense Command airstrip at U-Tapao-Pattaya International Airport, kids got to see six types of aircraft, helicopters and a two-jet flyover sponsored by the Royal Thai Air Force.
At the Sea Turtles Conservation Center, Miss Thailand Universe Vanessa Muangkhorat led children in releasing 30 turtles back into the wild. And at the Sattahip Police Station, officers handed out food and drink and organized activities focused on plants, humanity and volunteering.
Sharing is a good thing to learn at this young age.
This young girl is full of concentration, trying not to stray outside the lines when coloring her favorite cartoon.
A future sculptor concentrates on his wood carving at the Sanctuary of Truth.
This future international model struts the latest in children’s wear during the fashion show at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Bozo the Clown and balloon figures – what more could a child hope for on Children’s Day…
Children in Sattahip are treated to a visit from Miss Thailand Universe 2012 Vanessa Muangkhorat whilst releasing turtles into the sea.
Now there’s something you don’t see every day – an orangutan riding a bicycle like this one on Children’s Day at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Pattaya schoolchildren give a rousing ukulele performance while their friends stand on the sides providing encouragement.
This little guy is not sure what to think about his mother’s painted face at Pattaya City Hall.
