Great day to be a kid in Phuket

PHUKET: National Children’s Day will be celebrated across Thailand tomorrow and there are many fun activities planned all over Phuket for children to enjoy and learn from.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has dedicated the slogan “Unity, Knowledge, Wisdom, Preserving Thai Identity, and Learning Technology” as the theme for this year’s Children’s Day.

Here in Phuket, many organizations will get into the spirit of the occasion and open their offices and businesses to give the kids insight as to what goes on inside.

Today many schools across the island are getting a head start by organizing special activities for their students.

Venues open to children include government buildings, military establishments, hospitals, shopping centers and museums.

Here are some selected places for kids of all ages to enjoy the festivities tomorrow:

Phuket Town

Phuket Provincial Hall (8am-4pm. Free entry)
A stage performance by children, a balloon show, lottery draw with a chance to win bicycles and a mini-concert by famous teen actor Kao Jirayu Laongmanee. In addition, Governor Tri Augkaradacha will open his office for kids to sit in the Governor’s chair and be photographed.
– click here for map

Krom Luang Choomporn Park and Sport Center at Saphan Hin
A wide variety of Children’s Day activities are promised.
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Bangkok Hospital Phuket
The hospital will hold fun activities from 9 am to midday on the third floor. Entertainment will include mime and a “white face” magic show.
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Patong

Loma Park, Patong Beach (7:30am-3pm)
Patong takes this event very seriously. Huge caches of prizes, including bicycles, have been won in years past.
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Jungceylon (10:30am-midnight)
Held at the Port Zone. Musical fairy-tales including the Three Little Pigs, the Hare and the Tortoise. The highlight will be “Air Swimmers”, remote-controlled fish-shaped balloons and a “fancy kid” competition.
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Karon

Karon Circle (8am-midday)
Stage performances by children and a magic show, during which kids will receive lucky draw tickets to win one of 40 bicycles.
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Kathu

Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus
Kathu Municipality will join with the Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus to host fun activities in the Grand Assembly Hall from 8am to midday.
– click here for map

Wichit

Central Festival Phuket
HomeWorks store (10am-3pm)
11:30am: Stage performance from Wichit municipality center children
12:15pm: Coco the magic clown and a dog fashion show
1pm: Singing competition featuring 30 Phuket students aged nine to 12
2pm: Coke Music Award singers perform a mini-concert
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Phuket International Hospital
The third annual ‘crawling competition’ for kids 6 to 10 months. A drawing and painting competition for children. For more information call 076-249400.
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Sriphuwanart Park on Pattana Thongthin Road (8:30am-12.30pm)
Outdoor activities, drawing, a plaster of Paris figurine painting competition and a quiz game with many prizes to be given away at the park, located opposite Laem Chan Public Health Center. Children from Rawai Municipality will also attend this event.
– click here for map

Rassada

Phuket Rajabhat University
With its original roots as a teacher training school in Rassada, Phuket Rajabhat University has always held on the of the largest Children’s Day celebrations on the island. This year will be no different, with fun activities running from 8:30am to 4pm.
– click here for map

Kamala

Phuket FantaSea (3pm-5pm)
Phuket FantaSea introduces the newly-arrived second White tiger named “Pin-Ngern”. Kids will have many other animal friends to see in the Tiger Jungle Adventurer exhibit. The day also includes a parade of 10 golden boats at the “Talad Nam Kamala” (Kamala floating market). Lots of fun activities for kids with games and a lot of gifts.
– click here for map

Cherng Talay

Laguna Phuket
Laguna Phuket will host its Children’s Day celebration at the garden opposite the Canal Village Shopping Center from 1 to 4pm. The event will include such activities as stage performances, games, and arts and craft. This annual event aims to strengthen relationships with local communities and encourage a positive family interaction among event goers. Guests are welcome to participate.
– click here for map

Cape Panwa

Phuket Marine Biological Center and Phuket Aquarium (8:30am-4:30pm)
Free entry for children under 15. Fun activities and gifts.

Mai Khao

Splash Jungle Phuket, just north of the airport.
A ticket for one adult and three children under 12 for 777 baht. Lots of fun activities at Phuket’s largest water park.
– click here for map

Sakoo

Baan Sakoo School (5pm-11pm)
Staged entertainment, quiz competition with plenty of prizes, and lots of free food and drinks.

Phang Nga

Tai Muang – Third Naval Area Command
Vice Admiral Taratorn Kajitsuwan said this year’s Children’s Day will have an Air Force demonstration of a Thai Gripen (jet fighter-bomber) from Surat Thani. An air-sea rescue operation by the Andaman Navy, a parachute display and stage performances by children. Free snacks and drinks with lots of gifts for children and visitors.

— Chutharat Plerin