CHIANG RAI – This year’s Children’s Day was lively and packed with families, with tens of thousands of children joining activities at Wing 416 in Mueang Chiang Rai District. The Royal Thai Air Force worked with local partners to run the National Children’s Day event for 2569 (10 January), as it does each year.
This year, the event was held with support from Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, along with a mix of public and private organisations. The aim was simple: give children a fun day out with plenty to see and do.
A highlight was the flight displays, which ran in timed sessions from 08.30 to 15.00. Visitors watched several aircraft fly past, including small planes, the DA-42, and the AT-6TH (Wolverine). There was no F-16 display this year, unlike previous events.
Reports suggested the aircraft were being readied after heavy use in recent operations during the Thai-Cambodian fighting in December 2568.
On the ground, the airfield area was full of exhibitions and displays from many agencies. These included Wing 416, Thai Army units such as Task Force Chao Tak, Pha Muang Task Force, and the 37th Military Circle.
The Royal Thai Navy’s Mekong River peacekeeping unit (NRK) in the Chiang Rai area also joined in, alongside officers from Mueang Chiang Rai Police Station and staff from Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport.
Children and parents moved between military equipment displays, exhibition stands, play areas, and activity zones. Organisers also handed out gifts and snacks throughout the day, keeping the crowds smiling from morning until afternoon.
Children’s Day in Thailand
Children’s Day is a lively national celebration that puts children centre stage as the country’s future. It takes place each year on the second Saturday of January, and in 2026 it fell on 10 January. It’s not a public holiday, so schools and most workplaces usually stay open. Even so, families make time for outings, learning, and simple fun together.
The event dates back to 1955, influenced by worldwide efforts to support children’s rights and well-being. At first, it was held on the first Monday in October. In 1965, Thailand moved it to the second Saturday in January, mainly for better weather and to help more people join in. A well-known Thai saying sums up the message: “Children are the future of the nation; if the children are intelligent, the country will be prosperous.”
For 2026, the slogan was “Love Thailand, Care for the World”, encouraging children to be proud of Thailand while also thinking about their role in the wider world. The day often includes royal guidance from His Majesty the King, along with moral messages from the Supreme Patriarch, which adds meaning beyond the celebrations.
Across the country, activities are often free or low-cost, with a mix of education and entertainment. Government House opens to visitors, and children can tour the grounds and even sit in the Prime Minister’s chair. Military bases welcome families, too, with aircraft displays and demonstrations.
Many zoos, museums, and parks offer free entry, while shopping centres, science venues, and cultural attractions run workshops, talent shows, games, kite painting, and prize draws.
Many events feature traditional Thai games, performances, and hands-on zones that encourage creativity, discipline, and care for the environment. In some areas, public transport such as the BTS and MRT also offers free travel for children, making family days out easier.
Children’s Day is a reminder that Thai society has a shared responsibility to support the next generation. It’s a day full of smiles, new experiences, and optimism, showing how much Thailand values its children.
