The traditional Thai saying, ‘Children are the future of the nation, if the children are intelligent, the country will be prosperous,’ is an important saying that we all hold close to our hearts on national Children’s Day, known here in Thailand as ‘Wan Dek’.
This is an important event on the Thai calendar that we celebrate in a variety of ways, like spending time with family and visiting the venues hosting a Children’s Day event.
There are lots of venues to visit, many of which are a short distance from our modern serviced apartments in trendy Thong Lo, so you and your family will definitely have a wonderful time celebrating National Children’s Day on Saturday, 9 January, 2016.
Thai Children’s Day – A Brief History
Children’s Day was first celebrated in Thailand on the first Monday of October in 1955. This date continued for the first eight years, after which it was rescheduled – due to the date falling in the rainy season – to the second Saturday of every January, which is a much cooler and drier time of the year for Thai children to celebrate their national day!
There are a few traditions associated with Thai Children’s Day, the first and most important of which is the speech His Majesty the King gives advising the children of Thailand of the significant role that they play in the development of their country.
The Supreme Patriarch gives a moral lesson on the importance of being good boys and girls, and the Prime Minister gives the day a theme and a motto. This year the motto for Children’s Day is ‘Good children are diligent and crave for learning, for a bright future.’
Another tradition that takes place on Thai Children’s Day is the opening of many important Government buildings and installations across the country to the public. For instance, Government House and some of the Armed Forces buildings will be open to children and their parents, so this is a great opportunity to go behind the scenes.
Where to Celebrate Children’s Day
As there are so many places where you and your children can join in the festivities, you’re sure to find that you’re spoiled for choice. From Centre Point’s stylish serviced apartments in chic Thong Lo, there are many great activities that you can easily get to, and don’t forget that children are free on the skytrain (BTS) network all day!
The Science Centre for Education
Although there are many venues that you can visit on Children’s Day when you stay with Centre Point at Thong Lo, one of the very best has to be the Science Centre for Education in Khlong Toei district, right next to the Ekamai bus station and the BTS.
It’s a short distance in a taxi or tuk-tuk, but as the BTS network is free for children all day, you may like to catch the skytrain from BTS Thong Lo to BTS Ekamai and marvel at the Bangkok skyline along the way.
Happy Children’s Day from Centre Point Thong Lo!
