August 12: Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday and Mother's Day in Thailand

Every August 12, Thailand celebrates Mother's Day, which was established on the birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit.

The creation of Mother's Day in Thailand

Mother's Day, like Father's Day, was created during the reign of the late King Rama IX , father of the current King Rama X.

So to pay homage to the king, father of the nation, December 5, the day of his birth, was declared Father's Day.

Similarly, as Queen Sirikit is considered the mother of the nation, her birthday on August 12 is celebrated as national Mother's Day.

Queen Sirikit was born on August 12, 1932.

See: Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand

A day in blue

Every August 12, the streets of Thailand are decorated with blue flags and many residents of the Land of Smiles wear their blue polo shirts, as blue is the color of Friday, the Queen's birthday.

See: In Thailand, there is a color for each day of the week

Queen Sirikit's flag

August 12: Queen Sirikit's Birthday

This day is a national holiday, with schools, businesses, government offices, and most banks closed, although many retail stores and restaurants remain open as usual.

To mark the occasion, many Thai Buddhists will honor their local temple, and there will be high-profile events at famous temples in Bangkok , centered especially around Ratchadamnoen Avenue near Khao San Road .

Portraits of the Queen, along with her royal blue flag, are prominently displayed throughout Thailand at this time of year.

Mother's Day in Thailand

Thai people pay tribute to their mothers by giving them gifts, jasmine garlands, food and jewelry, and by spending the holiday with their mothers and other loved ones.

Most schools also hold special ceremonies a few days before Mother's Day for children to pay tribute to their mothers.

Some schools no longer perform this ceremony because it affects children who have lost their mothers.

See: In Thailand, a father disguises himself as a woman to participate in the school's Mother's Day celebration

It's a time for family togetherness, and many restaurants offer family promotions, where moms dine for free.

The MRT (Bangkok's underground metro) also often allows mothers to travel for free for the day.

Jasmine: Mother's Day flower

The whiteness of the jasmine flower recalls the purity of a mother's love for her child, the intensity of the fragrance illustrates its strength, and the fact that this flower blooms all year round suggests the eternity of this love.

History of Mother's Day in Thailand

Mother's Day first appeared in Thailand on March 10, 1943.

It was then introduced by the Minister of Public Health, who was apparently inspired by Mother's Day in the United States.

But the context of the Second World War made it difficult for the people to adopt this new celebration, which was immediately forgotten.

In 1950, the Thai government again sought to promote Mother's Day and placed it on the calendar on April 15.

But again, it's a failure.

It was finally in 1976 that the National Council of Social Welfare of Thailand, under the patronage of the Royal Palace, declared August 12 , the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, as the day of all mothers.

The following year, the Ministry of Education published a book titled "The Mother of All Thais," demonstrating that Queen Sirikit acts as the mother of the Thai people.

The book reviews the Queen's actions to help Thai people, particularly in the areas of education and health, alongside the maternal love and tenderness she shows for her own children.

Queen Sirikit is also committed to preserving Thai arts and culture to cultivate national pride among her subjects.

Bars and karaoke bars closed

On Mother's Day, most bars and karaoke bars across the country are closed, but this is not a mandatory measure.

Some bars remain open, but customers are asked not to display their alcohol consumption by hiding bottles, as is the case on certain important days in the Buddhist calendar.

See: Festivals and public holidays in Thailand, important dates

See also:

What you need to know about Mother's Day on August 12 in Thailand

Source: Photo of Queen Sirikit in front of an administration: Xufanc