Campaign for strengthening family institution in Thailand

It has launched a campaign for the strengthening of the family institution through the mechanism of "people-public-private partnerships.” In the campaign, the public, private, and academic sectors, as well as civil society, have been encouraged to work closely in developing and empowering families.

The campaign was launched in celebration of Family Day in Thailand. 14 April is observed as Family Day, and the observance has been part of Songkranl, the traditional Thai New Year.

As the Songkran festival brings family members together for reunions, this occasion can promote the bond of family members and provide them with a good opportunity to spend time together and share happiness. Then the Thai government in 1990 decided to designate 14 April Family Day, and the observance of Family Day began a year later. Thailand is among the first countries in the world to celebrate this significant day.

In celebrating Family Day 2016, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has set the slogan "Every day we love family.” It realizes that happy families will bring peace and happiness to society and stability to the country.

Minister of Social Development and Human Security Police General Adul Sangsingkeo said that when a family faces problems, children, women, and older persons usually experience more adverse effects than other family members do. He called on all organizations to offer a helping hand in strengthening the family institution.

Thai society’s basic unit is the family, reflected in the lifestyle of its villagers. In general, it is the type of extended family, with several generations living under one roof, or at least under several roofs within the same compound. This is where Thai children learn codes of behavior that guide them throughout their life, whether spent in the village or beyond.

A village house builds a strong sense of social harmony, generating compromise and tolerance. The father is regarded as the leader, while the mother also plays a dominant role, especially concerning financial matters and household activities.

Thailand is faced with many challenges in the present world. For example, a typical Thai family now comprises parents and no more than two children, "nuclear family,” unlike in the past, when an extended family was the norm. Family ties in the city are not as pervasive as in the village, and young married couples often set up housekeeping on their own.