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

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

The creation of Mother's Day in Thailand

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

So to pay tribute to the king, father of the nation, December 5, his birthday, 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: The Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand

A day in blue

Every August 12, the streets of Thailand are decorated with blue flags and many people in the Land of Smiles wear blue 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

The flag of Queen Sirikit

August 12: Queen Sirikit's birthday

This day is a public 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 pay homage to their local temple, and there will be highly publicized events in famous temples of the historic old town of Bangkok, mainly centered around Ratchadamnoen Avenue near Khao San Road.

The portraits of the queen, as well as her royal blue flag, are highlighted throughout Thailand at this time of year.

Mother's Day in Thailand

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

Most schools also organize special ceremonies a few days before Mother's Day, so that children can pay tribute to their mothers.

Some schools no longer practice this ceremony, as it affects children who have lost their mother.

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

It's a moment of family togetherness, and many restaurants offer promotions to families, where mothers dine for free.

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

Jasmine: flower of Mother's Day

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 established by the Minister of Public Health, who is said to have been inspired by the celebration of mothers in the United States.

But the context of World War II makes it difficult for the people to adopt this new holiday, which is immediately forgotten.

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

But here again, it's a failure.

It was finally in 1976 that the National Council for Social Welfare of Thailand, under the patronage of the Royal Palace, declared August 12, the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, as Mother's Day.

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

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

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

Closure of bars and karaoke

On Mother's Day, most of the country's bars and karaoke are closed, but it 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 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