Thai Children's Day (Wan Dek)
Next: January 9, 2027
A whole day for the children.
The story
Where it comes from
Thailand's National Children's Day, Wan Dek, was first held on Monday 3 October 1955, following a proposal from a representative of the International Union for Child Welfare. October falls in the rainy season, and a Monday kept parents at work, so in 1965 the cabinet moved the day to the second Saturday of January; the first January Children's Day was held in 1966. Each year the King gives a royal address to the nation's children, and the Prime Minister announces a Children's Day motto.
How it's celebrated
Families take their children out for the day. Government House, Parliament House and army, navy and air force bases open their doors to young visitors, and many zoos, museums and science centres let children in free or at a special price. Schools and local authorities hold games, shows and activities. Parents and grandparents often mark it with a small treat or gift.
Did you know
- The first Children's Day motto was given in 1956 by Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram, who urged children to 'strive to help others and society'.
- Since then almost every Prime Minister has given a motto, and a study of 58 mottoes found 'seeking knowledge' to be the most common wish for Thai children.
- The King's Children's Day address is printed each year in the official National Children's Day Book.
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