For some children, today's National Children's Day will be unlike any they have experienced before. Those whose schools are near one of the protest sites will remember this Children's Day as the one when their school was surrounded by anti-government protesters.
"It's like a war zone," said Chirabhat Nupho, a Mathayom 5 student from Rajavinit Mathayom School on Phitsanulok Road.
"I have to pass many barricades, checkpoints and security guards to get to school."
The school is near the main stage of the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform (NSPTR) at the Chamai Maruchet bridge.
A wall of sandbags and tyres have been placed around the site and the rally's security measures are much tighter after security guards were shot in a drive-by shooting at the rally site.
Children across the country will take part in activities to mark their special day today but they have been living in a strongly divided society over the past two months.
Chirabhat and his friends have experienced this first-hand more than most.
He said he is not opposed to the anti-government rally even though his school has been completely surrounded by a large crowd.
"I have no idea whether the rally should be stopped or not, but no rally should set up its stage close to a school," he said.
Politics has infiltrated Children's Day. For a start, the event has two mottos.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's is: "Have gratitude, know one's duties, and be good and have discipline for a secure Thailand."
And protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban offered an alternative: "Think smart, love the nation and monarchy and stay true to being Thai."
Students at some schools claimed that they have been asked to remember Mr Suthep's motto instead of the one by the premier.
Monthiya Saksinlapa-udom, another Mathayom 5 student at Rajavinit Mathayom School, said that the anti-government protests have become a hot topic at the school.
"We have to be on alert as we are sometimes suddenly informed that the school will shut down," she said.
"Today, a teacher announced that the school will be closed on Monday due to the Bangkok shutdown plan, and the school may be closed for two or three days more, depending on the situation. That is why we have to be on full alert."
She said the teacher also talked about studying at home via YouTube and email if the mass rally goes on for some time to ensure safety for students and teachers and to avoid heavy traffic.
"I am fed up with the rally already and it should end soon," she added.
But kids will be kids and some quite enjoy the excitement of the protest.
Paisuda Sati-ngam, a Mathayom 5 student from the same school, said: "There is free food, drinks and snacks. The atmosphere is like a go-kart speedway as old tyres and sandbags are placed along the way to school."
Not that the negative aspects have eluded her.
"There are also several bad points, such as bad smells, mounds of rubbish and awful traffic," she said.
"I have to walk for two blocks to catch a public bus as its route has changed to avoid the rally area."
Boonyavee Kurapa, a Mathayom 6 student from Phayathai School, which is also affected by the protest said: "I'm not stressed by the rally. But school closures are now so frequent and my classroom time has decreased a lot."
Sittisak Katenok, a Mathayom 3 student from Mathayom Wat Makutkasat School, said he worried he might not be able to catch up on his studies as his school is often closed.
"Although catch-up classes are provided on some weekdays evenings and Saturdays, it is good to study during normal times," he said.
But his friend Tharapong Bhumipak did not want the rally site to move to another venue as he said he would be too lazy to come to school every day.
Furthermore, some said that the current political issues have entered schools in the way of lessons and class examinations, and the content and detail tends to be in favour of the political group their teachers have sided with.
But it is hoped the voices of the children will be heard this Children's Day.
Boonyavee pleaded: "Adults must start talking to each other to seek ways to end the conflict."