In recognition of Children's Day, Life is letting the kids be heard - from various social, educational and family backgrounds - to find out how they really see things around them
Buddhasuda Nuchanard. Kwankla Nuchanard
Buddhasuda Nuchanard, 11
Student at Mater Dei School, Bangkok.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I would like to be an architect, because I love to design houses and amusement parks.
What's the thing you dislike most in your life?
I dislike cockroaches because they are ugly and look creepy when they fly.
Who do you look up to in life?
I don't know his name but I admire the person who designed Dream World. The park successfully attracts us to every zone and each comes with a different kind of fun.
What do you want most on Children's Day?
I want to go to KidZania [a family entertainment centre at Siam Paragon] because I would like to know how each career is different from others.
Why do you think it's important for grown-ups to listen to children?
Because sometimes children's opinions are better than those of the adults.
Eric Elijah Surbano.
Eric Elijah Surbano, 10
Raised in Bangkok after family moved from the Philippines.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a pastor and a dancer so I can teach the Word and dance for the Lord.
What's the thing that you dislike the most in your life?
The kids that are bullying me, but I still care about them.
Who do you look up to in life?
God and Jesus Christ, because I am a Christian.
What do you want the most on Children's Day?
To help my parents do chores and play with the kids at church.
Why do you think it's important for grown-ups to listen to children?
Because when we listen to them, we can live a better life than others.
Fateemah Waesalae .
Fateemah Waesalae, 7
Second-grader from Bamrong Islam School Pattani in Yarang district.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a doctor, so I can help sick people. I have to be good at my studies -- I have to finish my studies and be diligent.
What's the thing that you dislike the most in your life?
I don't like bad people -- they scare me. Bad people are people who like to steal, attack other people and bully other people.
Who do you look up to in life?
My teacher, for teaching me how to be a good and talented person.
What do you want for Children's Day?
I want a lot of presents on Children's Day, especially a Barbie doll!
Does Children's Day have any meaning to you?
Children's Day has a lot of meaning to me, as I get to have fun!
Why do you think it's important for grown-ups to listen to children?
Adults should listen to children's opinions and thoughts, and see what children need.
Kriwit Saeyip YVONNE BOHWONGPRASERT
Kriwit Saeyip, 12
Single-parent kid from Klong Toey.
What do you look forward to most on Children's Day?
Getting presents from the children's party that is held in our community.
What gift would you like this year?
A bicycle. The old one I have is really rundown.
Besides attending the party, how do you plan to spend Children's Day?
Hopefully, I can spend quality time with my mother. It would be a treat to have her spend time with me at home. If she is able, I would like to watch television with her, and maybe we can even order some food from outside. That would really make me happy.
Kanyarat Kongdee. YVONNE BOHWONGPRASERT
Kanyarat Kongdee, 10
Klong Toey kid whose family owns a tiny grocery store.
What do you want most for Children's Day?
For my mum to cook my favourite spaghetti dish for me. If I can win a fruit-juice maker at the raffle during the children's party, that would also be great.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A teacher. I would like every child to be able to get an education regardless of how rich they are.
If you were able to arrange a Children's Day party, how would it be?
I would have everyone get a gift they wished for. There would also be favourite foods of the children that attend. I would want them to go home with good memories.
Parut Wongsricha. YVONNE BOHWONGPRASERT
Parut Wongsricha, 11
Kid from Klong Toey.
What does Children's Day mean to you?
A day to go out with my family and do fun activities together.
What do you wish for most this year?
I hope my parents will take me to the planetarium and buy me toys. I also wish to be able to pass my entrance exam to study at Suankularb Wittayalai School.
If there is something you could do for less fortunate kids on Children's Day, what would it be?
I would like to see that they have an education so they can look forward to a promising future.
Suteera Suwannalert. unknown
Suteera Suwannalert, 11
Half-Karen, half-Thai from Sop Moei district of Mae Hong Son province.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a teacher. These days I see students being so stubborn, so I want to experience for myself how it would be as a teacher taking care of stubborn kids.
What's the thing that you dislike most in your life?
Bugs, worms and leeches. I loathe them because they are all disgusting. I also dislike some of my classmates, especially some boys, because they are such bullies.
Who do you look up to in life?
My uncle. His name is Max. He is a kind-hearted person and good at studying. I want to be just like him when I grow up.
Why do you think it's important for grown-ups to listen to children?
I think adults should do so instead of just scolding kids without asking for reasons. My parents never listen to me. Especially my mum. She smacks me once she finds out I've done something she is unhappy with.
What do you want for Children's Day?
I want more comic books, as I like reading them a lot. Normally I borrow these books from the library, but there are not many of them. Also, I want to travel to Bangkok to see my uncle.
Tannjai Sopitgirapast. Jirapa Sopitgirapast
Tannjai Sopitgirapast, 3
Nursery student at Ascot International School, Bangkok.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a bat. Bats don't have to sleep at night. They sleep only on Halloween. I can play every night, but not on Halloween.
What's the thing that you dislike the most in your life?
Storm. When he is hungry, he makes big sounds. He cries and it rains, we can't play outside.
Who do you look up to in life?
My grandpa. He likes to buy me McDonald's Happy Meals with nuggets and fries. He lets me watch the iPad, and I can play games when mommy is not around too.
What do you want most on Children's Day?
Thank you, that is a very good question ... [Long silence.] ... What is Children's Day?
Why do you think it's important for grown-ups to listen to children?
Because we love you very much and you can learn things from us. We can teach you things. You can laugh every day.
