Friday, January 11, 2008

New focus for Children's Day

New focus for Children's Day

The Education Ministry will focus on educational activities and an exhibition honouring HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana for Children's Day on Jan 12.

Published on January 4, 2008

Assigned by a 1955 Cabinet resolution to host a celebration on the second Saturday of every January, the ministry will stage the 53rd National Children's Day event at its courtyard near Padungkrungkasem Canal, permanent secretary Jaruayporn Thoranin said yesterday.

Dusit Plaza and Sanam Seupa, the usual venues, were within royal grounds. As the Royal Household Bureau had declared a 100-day mourning period for the late Princess, it was best to move to a new site, she said.

Academic activities will include quizzes, with 4,000 prizes, and an open house for youths to visit important places, she said. WorkPoint Entertainment will arrange a children's version of a television quiz show called "Game Tossakan".

The exhibition will invite children and youths to learn and appreciate the Princess's contributions to the Kingdom, she said.

A memorial with a photograph of HRH will be placed at the entrance for parents and kids to pay their respects. The ministry will direct all governors to sponsor similar proceedings in their provinces, she added.

National Children's Day 2008 books - entitled "Cheun Klao" (Cherished over one's head) with a photo of Princess Galyani on the cover - will be sold for Bt10.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said National Children's Day festivals were scheduled for the Railway Park in Chatuchak and the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng. Instead of merriment, the activities will be educational, featuring scholarships.

The city will join with groups under the Princess's patronage to hold an exhibition and commemoration ceremony at City Hall's Lan Khon Muang Plaza from Monday to April 11, he said.

About 50,000 copies of the book "Sathit Na Duangjai" to celebrate the Princess's 84th birthday will be handed out to visitors to the exhibition.

A ceremony to make merit for the Princess by giving food to 185 monks will take place in all districts on three occasions - the seventh day (Jan 9), the 50th (Feb 21) and the 100th (April 11) after the Princess's passing.

Police stations nationwide will prepare a place where locals can pay their respects to the Princess.

The Nation

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