Youth Day celebrated in Bangkok with a call to parents and children
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - Since the United Nations proclaimed 1985 World Youth Year, Thailand established the National Youth Day on Sept. 20, the birthday of King Rama V (or King Chulanlongkorn) and King Rama VII (or King Ananda Mahidol, the elder brother of the reigning King Bhumibol Adulayadej, Chakri Dynasty). This year the nation marked its 25th Youth Day.
The two kings reigned when they were young, a reminder for young Thais of what they can do for their country, of which they are the future.
In 1985, the UN chose participation, development and peace, as its theme, with the aim of encouraging young people to take an active social role, to develop their own capacities and society and to build together a world based on respect for the dignity and rights of all.
This year, the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva met a youth representative to discuss current problems. He expressed the wish that the young people, the nation's future, "firstly better themselves in their ability to be fair to others, are proud of themselves, learn to spread and uphold Thai culture, do not waste and are useful to society and the nation", by following "their parents who educate them to be capable and correct people”.
The young people thanked the Prime Minister and asked for more to be done for people with disabilities and the problems of each community.
Ratch Sriboonat, president of the National Youth Council, said there is a risk that there are "excellent students, but unable to help develop the country. Capable, but devoid of all morality”.
Wallop Tangkananurak, creative director of the Children Foundation, agreed that the problem is "bad examples given by adults to young people."
Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri, president of the Catholic Commission for the Laity, has issued a reminder that this day is important not only for youth but also for those who work with them, asking adults to give due importance to young people and young people not to lose the values and enthusiasm of their age. He recalled the invitation of Jesus to the rich young man to follow him, to reach eternal life, which is an invitation to the young man to be brave to leave everything and follow Him. " "With the same words of Jesus: Follow me - said the prelate - I hope that you welcome Jesus' invitation to joy and to live a fruitful life of concrete facts."
This year the topic addressed by young Catholics: " The Youth shares the Words of God and Live the Eucharistic Life."
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