Many children across Thailand are having a joyful day as government agencies and numerous businesses roll out various in-door and out-door activities to entertain them on this year’s Children’s Day.

One of the highlights has been to sit on the prime minister’s chair in Government House, especially for the one first in the queue. Lucky Chanachote Saen-ngob, a Mathayom 1 student at Wat Chom Nimit in Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan, who arrived at Government House with his grandmother at about 5am this morning, hoping that he would be the first to take the seat for the second time in a row, succeeded.

Chanachoke then wished Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin good health and a long stay in the office, adding that he hopesthat, this year, he may get a bicycle so he can ride it to school.

The prime minister arrived at Government House at about 9.30am to check its readiness, such as extra electric fans and ice cream, to entertain the young visitors. He then had a group photo shoot with a number of children brought to the Government House with the help of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

The first child to sit on the prime minister’s chair together with the official occupant, and to have a photo taken with the prime minister, was 5-year-old Im-boon Kumkrong from Klang Kret School in Nonthaburi province.  She told the media that she was very excited to sit in the chair.

In his Children’s Day speech, the prime minister said the government wants all children to have access to basic education, to promote their learning process to increase their capabilities and creativity.

Another highlight at Government House is the exhibition of samples of dinosaur fossils, by the Department of Mineral Resources.

Souvenirs were given to all the children visiting Government House.

At Thai PBS’s broadcast centre, children were given a chance to perform as a news announcers and YouTubers in the studio. They also tried their hands at cooking and growing rice and creating a virtual aquarium.

The Royal Thai Air Force put planes, armoured cars and military hardware on display and most zoos across the country are open free of charge to all children.