Many of those attending activities at the seat of government wished Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont good health and success and hoped for peace in Thailand.

The Education Ministry's celebration at Sanam Seu Pa was crowded, proving that bomb fears could not dampen the festive spirit of the country's youth. A Justice Ministry event brought free children and juvenile offenders together in celebration.

A seven-year-old Khon Kaen girl almost died after accidentally swallowing a whistle during a contest.

In the Government House book for Children's Day visitors youngsters left messages wishing the prime minister - or "Uncle Add" - good health and success in his work for Thailand. Others wished for national peace.

Impressed by the Prime Minister's office, 10-year-old Korakot Pangsuwan said he would study hard so he could have one similar. "I also want to ask the prime minister for love and unity. I hope there are no more bombs in the South," he added.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan said 17,600 people had participated in the day's fun at Government House, up from 9,000 last year.

Parents said they were satisfied with security measures, especially bag checks and drops.

Officials allowed parents and children to enter Government House through one gate on Phitsanulok Road. Parents had to pass through bomb scanners; some 500 police officers were deployed at the compound.

Inside was mobile-telephone signal-jamming equipment, and all refuse containers had been removed. Cleaning staff were busy picking up rubbish.

Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula presided over the opening ceremony at Government House and later the other celebration at Sanam Seu Pa.

He told both events Surayud wanted to be with children on the day but was busy at the Asean annual summit in the Philippines.

Pridiyathorn said children made up one third of the world's population and had the power to determine societies, countries and the future of the world. He encourage young people to improve themselves to be a force for social development. He advocated the day's motto: "Have virtue in your heart, practice sufficiency economy and avoid vice."

There were checkpoints, scanners and body searches at Sanam Seu Pa, and by 11.30am some 40,000 visitors had joined celebrations there. Officials expected 60,000 visitors for the day - up on last year.

"It's clear bomb fears have had no effect on the Children's Day celebrations," said Education permanent secretary Charuaypon Torranin.

The ministry deployed 1,000 police officers as a precaution.

At the Royal Equestrian Statue children and parents mingled and took photographs among tanks, helicopters, artillery and Army vehicles.

Yutthana Thongsuk, 36, said he would take his seven-year-old daughter to the celebration at Sanam Seu Pa and then Suvarnabhumi Airport. He was confident the security measures would prevent disruption.

Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry celebration at Ban Metta Juvenile Centre offered fun for local school children and its juvenile offenders, who lunched with visiting relatives.

Eleven-year-old Dusit Muangprasong from Klong Kleu Wittaya School sympathised with the residents and hoped they would be rehabilitated.

The Public Health Ministry reported that more than 3,000 young people around the country had yesterday volunteered to assist patients at 246 hospitals.

In Khon Kaen seven-year-old Kingkan Cahluaykaew was hospitalised after she accidentally swallowed a whistle during a contest and developed breathing difficulties.

Bomb fears prompted some parents to take their families to celebrations at the Sri Patcharin Army Camp where they felt "safe" among soldiers.

Up North, Chiang Rai children paid respects at the funeral of teacher Juling Pangamoon, who died recently after spending months in a coma following an assault by angry southern villagers demanding the release of suspected militants.

Fourteen-year-old Danai Yawichai asked his parents to take him to the funeral before heading off to celebrate. He said Juling had been an admirable person who had made sacrifices for others.