Letter from the Governor: Let your children know you care

Nisit Jansomwong, 52, from Ratchaburi, landed on the island in October to take up the position of Phuket Governor. He has a master’s degree in administration from Chulalongkorn University, where he graduated with honors. Before coming to Phuket, Governor Nisit was governor of Ratchaburi province for one year.

PHUKET: Children’s Day gives us the chance to show children just how important they are to us and to our country. They will be the ones who will move our nation forward.

Since Thailand first held Children’s Day in 1956, each prime minister has created a slogan for the national celebration. This year, the slogan created by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is “knowledge and virtue together will move us into the future”.

I urge all people to take this year’s slogan seriously, for our children’s sake. Knowledge is a great asset, but it is just as important to have compassion for others and to follow the rules.

Our society will never move forward if smart people are always searching for ways to take advantage of the weak or the less fortunate. We must cherish knowledge and compassion, and use them both to move our nation in the right direction.

It is also important that we know what our roles or passions are and that we do our best to fulfill them.

When we are children, our roles are to be well-behaved kids who care about others, and who share with and help each other. When we grow up, we should aspire to be good people who continue to help and care for others. We should never seek to take advantage of anyone.

Childhood is a time for the development of both the bodies and minds of children. However, children cannot do this on their own. They need help from their parents and other adults.

We all know that parents are the greatest role models for children. For example, I love reading, so I read before bed. My daughter has grown up watching me do this, and now she has become a book lover as well. There are some things you cannot teach your children in one day, and certainly not by just telling them what to do. If you act responsibly as a positive role model, your children will notice and copy you.

Parents should also set a good example when it comes to using technology. Technology has become an undeniable part of our lives. Neither we nor our children can avoid it. Technology has a lot to offer if we use it effectively. However, we must be careful not to let our children become addicted to it.

I give my daughter an hour on weekdays after school to surf the internet. She can do whatever she wants, although the computer is set up in a common room. I never set up the computer in a private room. There are a lot of bad sites out there which we don’t want our children to see. Thankfully, my daughter accepts the rule and enjoys her after-school time at home.

Every home has its own rules, and mine is no different. I would like to ask, however, that parents do not leave their children unattended with computer games or the internet. This could have many consequences, but the biggest one is that it takes your children away from you.

When I see an interesting article or a website, I send it to my daughter. This way, I am able to use technology in order to bring my family closer, rather than allowing it to separate us.

Children’s Day is a chance for us to be together with our children. I would like to see the organizers of Children’s Day events across the island prepare some activities to improve children’s knowledge and encourage them to use their minds.

I would love to see them exchange thoughts with their peers during the activities. I think the games should also teach them to be honest, loyal and to love their country. This day should be about more than simply food, drinks and gifts for our children.