Children participated in earnest in various activities held for them on their special day on Saturday.
HTMS Saiburi, a Chinese-made frigate, is docked at Phuket's deep-sea port for children to explore on Jan 10, 2015. (Photos by Achadtaya Chuennirun)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the official opening of the Children's Day at Sanam Sua Pa near the Royal Plaza in Bangkok at 8.30am today.
As is the custom, the Prime Minister gave the motto "Knowledge, along with morality, leads to the future" for the youth.
He asked children to follow his six rules: don't lie, don't wake up late, don't be lazy, love parents, don't play games late at night and do homework before playing games.
The Children's Day atmosphere in Bangkok was colourful this year, according to Thai media. Parents brought their children to visit important places, especially government agencies, which held several events for the occasion.
At Government House, children queued up to visit the seat of the government amid tight security. Some had their pictures taken with the PM's portrait there.
The highlight there was the new PM chair of which the owner said earlier children were allowed to sit on it.
At the Army Command on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue and the Air Force Command in Don Muang district, weapons and artillery, including tanks, war planes and helicopters of various makes and models, were on display and demonstrated. There were long queues of children waiting to sit on and take pictures with them.
At the Royal Palace Guard Calvary Second Division on Phaya Thai Road, cargo helicopters, tanks, personnel carriers and armed wheel vehicles were shown, with officers in position to explain about their functions. Demonstrations and exhibitions were also held on survival drills, mobile TV units and other equipment. Games and free flows of food and drinks were also provided.
The navy held its events this year at the army's headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road and the Royal Thai Naval Academy in Samut Prakan province. More shows and exhibitions were also organised at several of its units in Sattahip, Chon Buri province, as well as in Rayong, Songkhla, Phuket and Phangnga provinces.
HTMS Saiburi, a Chinese-made frigate, was also docked at Phuket's deep-sea port for children to explore. Search and rescue operations were also demonstrated.
All smiles on their special day in Phuket.