PATTAYA, THAILAND – A colourful family festival and an unusual costume worn by the mayor marked Pattaya’s celebration of National Children’s Day 2026 on Saturday.
Official opening and national motto
The city’s mayor Poramese Ngampichet officially opened the celebrations for National Children’s Day 2026, held from 9 a.m. onwards at a central event site. The nationwide motto, set by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, was “Love Thailand, Care for the World.”
The day, traditionally held on the second Saturday of January in Thailand, was intended to remind the public that children and young people were regarded as the country’s most important resource. It also underscored that they must be supported in all areas of life.
Focus on holistic development and responsibility
The Thai government linked the occasion to a clear educational mission, highlighting the holistic development of children – physical, emotional, social and intellectual – alongside values such as discipline, responsibility and creativity. Pattaya aligned itself visibly with this goal, with the city administration designing a programme aimed at allowing children to develop freely, positively and safely.
The activities also sought to strengthen awareness of rights and duties among young participants. According to the organisers, the event was framed as a contribution to building a strong and responsible young generation.
Shows, games and learning stations
Students from Pattaya’s municipal schools performed prepared shows and stage presentations on the grounds. These were complemented by educational booths where children could learn through play, turning the area into a large-scale learning environment.
Additional entertainment included amusement zones with rides and activities, game stations with prizes donated by government agencies and private sponsors, as well as free snacks, food and drinks for children and parents. Organisers estimated that more than 5,000 children took part, creating a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and movement throughout the day.
Dinosaurs, robots and rescue technology
Large dinosaur figures, eye-catching robots and golden lion and dragon figures served as visual highlights, together with the “The Circus Wonderland” parade. For technology fans, military vehicles and a high‑level rescue platform from Pattaya’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department were on display.
Children were able to view real emergency equipment up close and gain an impression of rescue and emergency procedures. The presence of operational technology was intended to combine fascination with basic awareness of disaster response.
Mayor in costume as circus mascot
A surprise moment came when Poramese Ngampichet appeared dressed as the circus mascot “Barron.” The costume triggered a wave of photo requests, with many children and parents lining up to pose with the mayor.
His appearance visibly competed with the large dinosaurs and robots for attention and contributed to the relaxed, playful mood of the official programme. The light-hearted approach was designed to bring local leadership closer to families and children.
Clear message to children and parents
In his speech, the mayor underlined the role of the younger generation in shaping the country’s future.
“Pattaya recognises the enormous importance of children and young people, who will grow into the main pillars of society and take responsibility for advancing our nation,”
said Poramese Ngampichet, mayor of Pattaya.
He stressed how crucial adult care and support were for that process.
“The day’s activities are intended to give children love, warmth and goodwill and to help them better understand their role in their family, community and society,”
said Poramese Ngampichet, mayor of Pattaya.
Looking ahead, he called on children and teenagers to prepare themselves through diligent study, skills training and meaningful activities.
“In this way they can acquire the tools for a happy life and contribute to the country’s sustainable prosperity,”
said Poramese Ngampichet, mayor of Pattaya.
Broad backing from city and business
The event was supported by senior figures from the city administration, members of the city council, department heads and partners from both the public and private sectors. Their participation was presented as a sign of shared responsibility for youth development.
Pattaya’s Public Relations division, particularly the Tourism and Sports Office, was responsible for organising, documenting and communicating the programme externally. The coverage framed children’s festivals as a mirror of how seriously society took its own future.
Children’s festivals as a mirror of society
The report stressed that such celebrations were more than bouncy castles and gifts and reflected how committed a country was to its next generation. It pointed to themes such as the environment, education, creativity and protection from drugs as areas where playful messages today could shape Thailand’s tomorrow.
The account concluded that the decisive issue was not the size of the stage, but whether the promises made on National Children’s Day would still help children long after the music had faded.