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A senior education official has warned schools to be careful of organising Valentine's Day activities that end too late in the evening.

Basic Education Commission secretary-general Khunying Kasama Varavarn na Ayudhya said she was concerned for students' safety and did not want schools to hold activities that end late as it might encourage older pupils to go somewhere improper rather than home.

"I've seen students go to various places after their schools' activities on Valentine's Day ended and it could put them at risk," Kasama said.

She suggested students make their own Valentine gifts and donate their money to help others.

"There is a good model in Japan in which employees of a company, instead of buying roses and chocolate, donated the money to a library in Thailand to express their love and feeling."

Culture Minister Anusorn Wongwan suggested young people give cheaper jasmine instead of roses. Over the next week from Thursday, the ministry would encourage them to go to temples to celebrate.

The Nonsoongpittayakarn School in Udon Thani will hold Valentine activities at noon.

"We will promote student language skills, including singing, hand-made Valentine cards, a display board about its history and watch a stage play in English from Khon Kaen University students," said Sawai Sriwilai, head of the school's foreign language group. "Because of the mourning for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana we are reducing activities this year," he said.

Director of Samut Prakan's Intarumphun-anusorn School Khwandee Singtong said no big events were planned as students were preparing for the National Test and Ordinary National Educational Test.

"I think Valentine's Day is a special day in which people can express their love to everyone around them not just their boyfriend or girlfriend," 23-year-old Wan told The Nation.

Supinda na Mahachai,

Wannapa Phetdee

The Nation