Again, it's so Thai.

Today is student day in Thailand so I went with my school to the sub-district gathering that included three other school. There were games for the children like bingo, ring toss, darts but my favorite was bowling with odd shaped coconuts. It was typical Thai happy chaos.
Told to be at school at 8:00 a.m. I arrived at 7:50 and found many students present, About 8:10 the first teacher appeared and around 8:30 we walked the six blocks to the gathering. As each student registered they were given a stuffed animal and their name was put in a box for a door prize.
After the students were registered some official gave a long speech which was totally ignored by everyone. Next up was a 2nd and 3rd group of dancers from another school. They were all gussied up in frilly dresses, make up including lip stick and fancy hairdos. They danced several numbers with a lead singer who looked a bit older. When the music stopped people came forward and gave the singer money. The boring official thanked them and each one in turn curtsied, waied and said "kappen ka"...thank you. But, wait a minute...those last two said "kappen krup" not "kappen ka"....that means they're boys! They sure looked like girls they way they were dressed and made up....it's just so Thai!
Being the only farang , Caucasian, present I became a photo op. Mothers, many families were present, wanted to take my picture with their child or students would ask me to take their picture.
The day ended with drawing for door prizes which lasted an hour. There were stuffed animals, games, toys, canned snack food and a dozen new bikes. Every child left the event with an arm load of toys, stuffed animals, coloring books, etc. There were eight different games and every child came away from every game with a prize. These were four small school so when one thinks of this done all across Thailand it must be enough to create a national economic boost.
Oh, yes, there was food. Thai people don't do anything without eating. Ice cream, snacks of all kinds, and then bags of sticky rice and drumsticks were available around the gathering area. Away from the games there were serving tables serving fulls meals of rice and noodles, I had some good Pad Thai...no one left hungry.
It is much fun to be on the inside of these events which are so much of the Thai school children's experience. It sure beats lying on a beach!