Young people should not detest politics, as Thailand needs a young generation of politicians to replace the old ones, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday told a group of young award recipients yesterday.
In comments to the youngsters as they received trophies and certificates for National Children's Day this Saturday, Gen Prayut stressed the importance of the younger generation to Thailand's political realm of the future.
"Now, we do have some good politicians, but we need to create more politicians from the younger generation, since the old ones, though they have experience, are getting old," he said. "So youths should not detest politics since in the future, some of you will be participating in politics," he said.
He said he wanted to see the recipients go back and develop their hometowns. He also wanted the Ministry of Education to expedite boosting the quality of education in rural schools so kids in these areas would not travel to study in urban schools.
The trophies and certificates are given every year to help mark Children's Day. This year 785 awards were given by Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin to youths nationwide who have done well academically or helped build a reputation for the country.
Muhammad Igrom Langi,13, a student at Baan Chebilang School in Muang district of Satun, who received an award in recognition of his achievement in football, said he is proud to be a representative of his hometown to receive the trophy. Muhammad was earlier selected to participate in a youth football project that sent kids from southern Thailand on a short trip to Spain and England.
"I am proud to be receiving the recognition,'' he said.
Pratumwan Sukkam, an 18-year-old student from Watjuntrawart School in Muang district of Phetchaburi, said she received a trophy because she did many extra-curricular activities in her school.
"I am just a girl from a rural area. I never dreamed of receiving such an honour, but I did many extra-curricular activities and I head up the 'To Be Number One' club in my school,'' she said.
Ms Pratumwan said the award is her first trophy and she will use it as a part of her portfolio when applying for university.
Nitikan Dumplueng, a teacher from a non-formal education institute in Ratchaburi's Wat Phleng district, smiled proudly and laughed before stating that she was very happy her students received trophies yesterday.
"I am glad that although I am just a teacher from the non-formal education institution, I am able to see to it that my students are good people and they will be successful in their lives,'' she said.
Besides the joy in receiving the recognition, some students expressed their excitement at meeting the prime minister in person.
Among those was Raksanalee Tareerak, a 13-year-old student from Wat Huntra School in Ayutthaya's Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, who travelled with her teacher to receive her trophy. She said she was glad and pleased to have met the prime minister and always follows news about him.
Meanwhile, the government will celebrate National Children's Day at Government House this Saturday from 9.40 am.
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