Two princesses, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, have been honored as model youth in commemoration of National Youth Day 2008.
September 20 is observed nationwide as Thailand's National Youth Day. The day is considered auspicious, as it marks the royal birthday of both King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, who was born in 1853, and King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII, who was born in 1968. The two kings ascended the throne at a young age and contributed greatly to the Thai Kingdom.
According to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm, the royal consort to the Crown Prince, will preside over the presentation of plaques and certificates of honor to a number of outstanding youth for 2008. The presentation ceremony will take place at the Bangkok Youth Center, Din Daeng, in Bangkok at 3:00 p.m. on September 20. On this occasion, the two princesses, the daughters of the Crown Prince, will be presented with a youth symbol in gold, prepared by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha completed her Ph.D. in law from Cornell University and currently works as Assistant Public Prosecutor, Ministry of Justice, in a province outside Bangkok. She has graciously agreed to be a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) under the “Say No to Violence against Women” campaign, aimed at ending violence against women.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana currently studies at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University. She has many interests in the field of arts and sports. The Princess has made a name for Thailand by representing the country in badminton competitions at international sporting events.
The Cabinet on 18 June 1985 designated September 20 each year Thailand’s National Youth Day, in response to the decision by the United Nations General Assembly to observe 1985 as International Youth Year: Participation, Development, and Peace. The observance drew international attention to the important role young people play in the world, and, in particular, their potential contribution to development and the goals of the United Nations Charter. Every year since then, Thailand’s Youth Day has been celebrated to promote the participation of young people and enhance awareness of the youth situation.
To celebrate National Youth Day this year, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is scheduled to organize a three-day seminar, “Power of the Thai Youth: Unity Beyond the Differences,” from September 17 to 19. Results of the seminar will be presented at the National Youth Day Fair on September 20 at the Bangkok Youth Center.