At Government House in Bangkok, where many youngsters were given a chance to sit on the prime minister’s chair, third-grader Chawalvit Boonme of Wat Chumsaeng School in Chumphon’s Sawee district became the first to sit on the premier’s seat.

“I’m so happy and excited. I want to take a photo with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. I dream of becoming a defence minister one day,” the nine-year-old boy said.

“I hope the PM will visit my school one day. Many of my friends, who cannot come today, really want to see him,” said the boy, who along with three siblings had arrived before dawn.

Government House officials also offered kids a guided tour around the Thai Khu Fah Building, a session of card writing to the prime minister, learning games and gifts.

Prayut welcomed children and took part in a photo session at Government House. He also presided over an official opening of Children’s Day at Sanam Sua Pa near the Royal Plaza. The venue features 20 activity booths promoting children’s learning about the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s talents, royal initiatives and teachings.

Prayut urged parents to create inspiration for their children and teach them to set a life goal – rather than just giving them money – and to encourage them to learn essential skills, especially the English language.

The prime minister, whose motto for 2017 Children’s Day is “Thai Children Strive to Study for National Stability”, also expressed his goal that the country would have good-quality, virtuous children with analytical thinking and ability to happily apply their knowledge in daily life in 15 years.

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said tutoring CDs and an attached handbook would be produced and sent to rural students in the first semester of the 2017 academic year.

Meanwhile, Student Council president Siraya Taengdararat of Kamphaeng Phet Pittayakhom School led representatives to submit, via Education Deputy Minister ML Panadda Disakul, a proposal for the government to improve Thai education.

They highlighted five points: |to have activities promoting |application of the late King Bhumibol’s self-sufficiency |economy principle and teachings in students’ life; to provide activities promoting youth leadership, democratic civil/citizen education and student council roles; to solve issues of student drug abuse and risky behaviour via projects including a drug test once per semester; to preserve Thai and local culture via school activities; and to promote student participation |in nature and environment |conservation.

Panadda pledged that the ministry would implement the proposed measures quickly as well as improve students’ foreign language learning and boosting the use of educational technology. He urged teachers and school directors to teach them good values including perseverance and for youths to apply the late King’s teachings in life.

As is customary, many children watched military shows and got souvenir snapshots with soldiers and war vehicles displayed at military compounds. These included Wing 6 Don Mueang in Bangkok and other regional offices of the Royal Thai Air Force, a Royal Thai Army-hosted event at the Royal Palace Guard Calvary Second Division in Bangkok, as well as the Royal Thai Naval Academy in Samut Prakan.

Down South, where many provinces have been hit by floods, youngsters in many areas also got Children’s Day gifts. At a flood victim shelter in Trang’s Muang district, some 40 children were given gifts and snacks at a party hosted by provincial administrative organisation president Kij Leekpai and other kind-hearted volunteers.

Fifth grader Narin Janseng said he was happy to get the gifts for the occasion and that he wished the flooding at his home would go down fast so they could move out of the shelter where they had stayed for a week now.

Asked what he wanted from the government for the Children’s Day, the boy said he hoped it would provide funds to aid flood victims.