Children's Day celebrated nationwide; PM apologises for not hosting events at Govt House

[Lite Beer]

Children's Day celebrated nationwide; PM apologises for not hosting events at Govt House
The Sunday Nation:

BANGKOK: -- As parents and children nationwide yesterday celebrated National Children's Day with fun and games at state offices and other attractions, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra apologised to children on her Facebook page for not hosting the celebration at Government House, saying it was out of concern for the safety and convenience of all.

Instead of visiting Government House, particularly to sit on the prime minister's chair as is the usual tradition, she said she hoped the children and their parents attend activities at other places.

She also urged parents to instil physical and mental immunity in their children, build positive discipline in them, help them keep up with the changes in the world and let them grow into good members of society in a friendly environment. She also repeated the motto for the celebrations: "Be grateful, know your duties, uphold discipline, help build the nation".

However, Parliament continued to host celebrations for the children with various activities, including a facility tour, Asean-themed games and lucky draws. The motto was: "Be responsible towards your duties, use IT creatively, be diligent in schooling and be prepared for the Asean Community".

The Education Ministry's celebrations at Sanam Seu Pa reportedly saw fewer attendees than in previous years. Caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang said that many people were probably not sure about safety and convenience to travel.

Fifth-grader Pairin Thinchuay, who came with her teacher and schoolmates, said this was the first time she had joined the Sanam Seu Pa fun activities and said that although this National Children's Day took place at a chaotic time, she didn't feel it was any less fun. Urging grown-ups not to fight each other, the girl said she wished the country was corruption-free and politicians acted as good examples for kids.

Meanwhile Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayut Chan-ocha joined senior officers in welcoming children and their parents at the celebrations at the King's Guard, 2nd Cavalry Division in the Sanam Pao area. Urging the kids to be good persons, be disciplined, perform their duties, and sacrifice for the majority, he told them not to fight each other because although they came from different parents and schools, they all were Thais who should also be loyal to the monarchy. He also urged the kids to convey the same message to their parents because the family and the country should be at peace.

The Rajdamnoen rally site of the anti-government protesters had its own celebrations entitled "Creating the nation's future at Rajadamnoen". Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban presented his motto for the occasion as "Think smart, love the country, love the nation, be honest and maintain Thai identity". Suthep also joined activities with the children, who were also keen on sitting on Suthep's chair, and gave autographs to their parents.

Elsewhere, the Chiang Mai Night Safari let children under 15 to get in free of charge to attend fun activities, including a singing contest for prizes worth Bt10,000 totally. All contestants would get a week-long free pass to the zoo, while Nakhon Ratchasima saw children enjoy weapons displays by the Army Region 2 and fun games such as paintball shooting and talent shows.

-- The Nation 2014-01-12

[NongKhaiKid]

No need to apolpgise YL as since attending parliament is too much of a committment for you why worry about a once a year event and I'm sure the only concern over ' safety and convenience ' was your own.

[waza]

Prime Minister assures safety for Bangkokians during protest

However she is concern about the safety of the children at a nation event held in a military installation. Yingluck is more afraid for her safety than the childrens, that why she wont campaign for the election, wont attend public celebrations that aren't in Issan. Yingluck is happy to surrender her caretaker leadership duties to a anti-government protest leader.

"The Rajdamnoen rally site of the anti-government protesters had its own celebrations entitled "Creating the nation's future at Rajadamnoen". Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban presented his motto for the occasion as "Think smart, love the country, love the nation, be honest and maintain Thai identity". Suthep also joined activities with the children, who were also keen on sitting on Suthep's chair, and gave autographs to their parents."

I think she has had enough and wants out.

[poisonus]

'She also repeated the motto for the celebrations: "Be grateful, know your duties, uphold discipline, help build the nation".

What a total hypocrite!

Totally 'ungrateful'.

No clue about her 'duties'.

No discipline in her 'government'.

Tearing the 'nation' apart.

[Sunisalom]

Her new 'Tonka Toy', with free 'wellies', is now a yellow tank!

-mel.

[Halion]

What a piece of work this women is. "Mental immunity and instil discipline in your children" teach your kids not to think and to do as they are told so they can only be manipulated by us. If brains were dynamite this philistine could not even blow her nose.

[ginjag]

No need to apolpgise YL as since attending parliament is too much of a committment for you why worry about a once a year event and I'm sure the only concern over ' safety and convenience ' was your own.

If the PM was not at Government house---The Where was she on Childrens day ??? I have red the topic and could not find where she went instead.

Naturally there were other safe venues ---SO was it a day off to write the apology ??

[Costas2008]

ginjag, on 12 Jan 2014 - 09:35, said:

NongKhaiKid, on 12 Jan 2014 - 06:25, said:

No need to apolpgise YL as since attending parliament is too much of a committment for you why worry about a once a year event and I'm sure the only concern over ' safety and convenience ' was your own.

If the PM was not at Government house---The Where was she on Childrens day ??? I have red the topic and could not find where she went instead.

Naturally there were other safe venues ---SO was it a day off to write the apology ??

Shopping?

[ginjag]

ginjag, on 12 Jan 2014 - 09:35, said:

NongKhaiKid, on 12 Jan 2014 - 06:25, said:

No need to apolpgise YL as since attending parliament is too much of a committment for you why worry about a once a year event and I'm sure the only concern over ' safety and convenience ' was your own.

If the PM was not at Government house---The Where was she on Childrens day ??? I have red the topic and could not find where she went instead.

Naturally there were other safe venues ---SO was it a day off to write the apology ??

Shopping?

My post above should have said "THEN "where was she, and I have READ the topic this is to stop the school teachers swooping in to correct.

[Soutpeel]

"particularly to sit on the prime minister's chair as is the usual tradition"

How many times in her tenure has dear YK sat in the PM's chair ? seems she was always out shopping

[FangFerang]

Of course she fears for her own safety. The bills that backfired were a monumental cock up, and have divided the nation even further. As I read more and more about what is going on, I believe things are way past the tipping point.

The children, my child, are my greatest concern. They learn from us. What are they learning from Yingunlucky and Herr Suthep?

They are bad teachers, and the only ones available.

[Artisi]

YL, "My big brother said I should hide away somewhere cause a big baddy boogie-man might come and frighten me."

[kurtgruen]

Instead of visiting Government House, particularly to sit on the prime minister's chair as is the usual tradition, she said she hoped the children and their parents attend activities at other places.

They did. They went to see Suthep instead

[Scamper]

Sadly, Yingluck is now reduced to communicating with the children of the country on facebook as well. Talk about connecting with the people. But perhaps the symbolism is a bit surreal as well. Yesterday, the children did indeed occupy Government House, while the adults were glued to facebook and skype.

The children sound like they're refreshingly good thinkers, though.

" the girl said she wished the country was corruption-free and politicians acted as good examples for kids. "

Couldn't this girl be prime minister instead - just for a few days ?

[DrTuner]

Couldn't this girl be prime minister instead - just for a few days ?

A bit too young to be corrupted by politics, a few days as the PM of Thailand would definitely do that.

[kurtgruen]

...and they put a tank in the picture, of the Children's Day announcement...Lest we forget.

[harber8]

So has an adult ever sat in the priministers chair??