PINT-SIZED ARMY OUT IN FORCE : Military look popular among young

PINT-SIZED ARMY OUT IN FORCE : Military look popular among young.

Story By Wassayos Ngamkham

The military look was popular among fashion-conscious youngsters who visited attractions in Bangkok celebrating Children's Day yesterday.

Green military fatigues were in vogue, sported by children and even some parents who flashed smiles in snaps taken in front of heavy artillery on display.

And despite general nervousness about possible bomb attacks, the Children's Day celebrations around the country went smoothly amid heavy security.

Some authorities expressed concern about security, but the Council for National Security (CNS) quickly doused them by promising to use martial law powers against anyone ruining the fun of children.

Hundreds of children led by their parents once again thronged Ratchadamnoen Avenue, making their way to the Royal Plaza to see military tanks, a repeat of the scene that followed the Sept 19 coup for a few days.

The only exception this time, however, is that children were not confined to just looking at the tanks. They were allowed to climb up on them for an up-close look at the nuts and bolts of the mighty machines.

Five-year-old Pawarada, or "Atom" Woralaksanakit, made a fashion statement, clad in a child-sized military uniform. She said fun and safety can go hand in hand.

"I'm not scared [of bombings]. I like soldiers," she said.

Her father, Kasem Pankatoke, 34, brought her to the Royal Plaza where security was tight.

"I didn't think too long about bringing her here," he said. "I'm not frightened of any unexpected incident. I don't think anyone is so cruel they would harm innocent children."

He showed off the military pants he wore to match his daughter's clothes.

Chanatya Chaivetnimitra, 38, a housewife, also dressed her three-year-old son Channarong, or "Gino," in full uniform. She said Gino chose the fatigues himself, thinking it might edge him a tad closer to realising his dream of becoming a soldier when he grows up.

She said a strong military and police presence had dispelled her fears.

"My son deeply admires soldiers, so I brought him here to let him get first-hand experience," she said, then invited Gino to deliver his best military salute.

Surakiat "On" Kasemsak, 10, said he had a trick up his sleeve in case of an explosion.

"I'll run for my life," the boy said before scaling a tank.

Sawit Teekaputti, 13, meanwhile, came alone. He was awe-struck by the sight of so many tanks in one place.

"It's a rare chance to see the real thing," he said.

Sgt-Maj Nikom Sonthaya, of the 1st Division of the Royal Guard, posed for a photo with children.

He admitted the guard duty meant he could not take his own children to a Children's Day fair.

The security scene at the Royal Plaza, however, was disturbed briefly when a soldier based in Lop Buri entered the ground armed with a gun and a machete. The soldier was reported to be drunk.

CNS chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin credited the large turnout to well-coordinated security protection.

Bangkok Post
Sunday January 14, 2007