Born Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara on August 12, 1932 to Thai noble families, the longest-serving consort to the world’s longest-reigning monarch – King Bhumibol Adulyadej – will turn 81 this year. Queen Sirikit, as she is now known, is considered the Mother of All Thais, so her birthday is also celebrated as Mother’s Day in Thailand.
The Queen’s Birthday 2013 will be celebrated on Monday this year, with major celebrations expected in the Grand Palace in the country’s capital, Bangkok.
A Sea of Pink
To show reverence to the Queen, loyal royalists wear pink on the day of her birthday. Crowds eagerly wait for the Queen to appear in a balcony from the Grand Palace, so Ratchadamnoen Road nearby is going to be heavy with foot traffic. The Thai flag and the royal insignia are hoisted on government buildings, parks and commercial establishments, and even homes display pictures of the king and queen as a symbol of their respect to the reigning family. Thai royals are deeply revered by their people, and this is one of the many occasions when the public shows its adoration.
As crowds gather in the Grand Palace for a brief viewing of the queen, the people wave flags and the queen’s insignia and chant “Long Live the Queen!”
Doing Merits on Mother’s Day
In the morning, markets are busy as children buy flowers to give to their mothers, and food to give to the monks. On this day, children show their love and respect to their mothers by making merits (alms giving to the monks) on behalf of them.
Back in the Grand Palace, religious rituals are performed several days leading to the Queen’s Birthday, so temples are filled with incense and chanting by Buddhist monks to pray for the well-being of the Queen, especially now that her physical abilities are reduced after lengthy hospitalization in 2012.
Candlelight Ceremony at the Grand Palace
The Prime Minister and key members of the Thai parliament gather in the Grand Palace to wish the Queen well on her birthday. The Prime Minister also leads a countrywide candle-lighting event later in the day. To close the occasion, fireworks are lit in Bangkok and in major cities around Thailand, like Chiang Mai and Phuket, with the entire event broadcast live so people at home can join the occasion.
Non-Alcohol Parties on the Queen’s Birthday
In many places throughout Thailand, alcohol is not consumed out of respect to the royal family. Nightlife considerably slows down and bars close early on this day; if alcohol is ordered, it is served discreetly.
