Unlike more adventurous Children's Day celebrations in other areas, children at the small but beautiful Museum Siam had a chance to enjoy family time learning how to cook Thai dishes yesterday.
The green yard in front of the main three-storey neo-style building in Tha Tian next to the Chao Phraya River was transformed into four activity bases where children learnt about Thai food ingredients and how to cook them. Five of the country's favourite dishes were taught including tom yam kung (hot and spicy shrimp soup), som tam (hot and spicy papaya salad), green curry, bua loy (rice ball dessert with sweet coconut milk) and khai jiew (a Thai-style omelette).
Nusriya Mooktaree, a 32-year-old mother, said the museum is now among her two sons' favourite places after last year's theme of "Thai play" and this year's culinary experience.
Darat Phiamthongkum took her four-year-old nephew, Nong Prod, to visit the museum's exhibition rooms showcasing Thai history and culture in the hope that he would learn something new that might be useful when he grows up.
"I like the place and the games here. It is fun for me. I was delighted to get a book and pencil box. I will use it for drawing and painting," said Nong Prod.
Suparada Tangjitvittaya, 38, said her daughter wanted to come as she loves cooking.
"Here is a lovely place for my child to learn about Thai culture and Thai dishes. She looks very happy doing the things that she loves," she said.
Songtip Sermsawatsri, a director at Museum Siam, said this year's theme for Children's Day was in line with the museum's concept of "Decoding Thainess".
