Children’s Day 2026 Draws Crowds at Government House

Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand

National Children’s Day celebrations at Government House drew large crowds early on Saturday morning, with children and families lining up from before dawn to take part in activities highlighting learning, ethics and civic inspiration. The event, held on 10 January 2026 under the theme “Learn Well, Have Morals”, runs from 08.00 to 15.00 and saw hundreds of participants enter the compound as soon as gates opened.

The first child to enter Government House and sit in the Prime Minister’s chair was one-year-and-four-month-old Wipaporn Klantanon, known as “Nong Chompoo”. She arrived with her grandmother and her elder brother, Chanachok Saenmuk, known as “Nong Chok”, aged 15, who became the second child to sit in the chair. The family travelled from Samut Prakan, with family roots in Nakhon Ratchasima, leaving home at 04.00 and arriving at the Chamaimaruchet Bridge gate around 05.00.

The grandmother and brother said they were delighted and excited to return to Government House, noting they have attended the Children’s Day event every year since 2018. They said they wanted the children to learn through activities at an important national location that could inspire them for the future. For Nong Chompoo, this marked her first time sitting in the Prime Minister’s chair.

The third child to take the seat was eight-year-old Thapasson Purod, known as “Nong Heng Heng”, who arrived with his mother, Kanokchon Purod. They left their home in Lat Krabang, Bangkok, at 04.00 and reached the venue at around 05.00. The child said he felt very happy and excited to attend Children’s Day at Government House for the second consecutive year.

As a special feature this year, officials placed certificates on the Prime Minister’s desk with space for children to write their names under the title “Future Prime Minister”. After sitting in the chair, children received souvenir bags featuring the 2026 Children’s Day slogan, “Love Thailand, Care for the World”. The bag design followed the concept “Design Your Dream” and included symbolic imagery such as a child, pencil, clouds and a rocket, along with items including a piggy bank, water bottle, toys, snacks and career-themed stickers.

Highlights of the 2026 event included guided visits to Thai Khu Fah Building, opportunities to read news in Thai and English as “junior government spokespeople” at Naree Samosorn Building, and numerous activity booths run by public and private organisations offering prizes. Organisers said activities aimed to encourage imagination, confidence and civic awareness among children.

Key Takeaways

• Children from across Thailand attended the 2026 National Children’s Day event at Government House from early morning.

• A one-year-old girl was the first child to sit in the Prime Minister’s chair, followed by older children.

• Activities focused on learning, ethics and inspiring future aspirations through hands-on experiences.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from InsideThailand 2026-01-10