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

Learn all about Mother's Day in Thailand, a day that celebrates the birthday of the Queen Mother and all the mothers in the Land of Smiles.

While most Western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, celebrate this day on the second Sunday of May, and France celebrates it in May or June, Thailand has anchored its celebration on a very special date, August 12.

Why does Mother's Day in Thailand fall on August 12?

Queen Sirikit of Thailand and President De Gaulle at the Opera in October 1960.

August 12 may seem like just another day for newcomers to Thailand.

However, this is not just any date in the Thai calendar, as it is the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit.

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

Known for her selfless charitable work and her role as honorary president of the Thai Red Cross, she embodies the virtues of nurturing, caring, and service associated with mothers.

See: Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand

To commemorate her birth and the values ​​she represents, August 12 has become a day to celebrate all mothers and mother figures in Thailand.

While it celebrates the Queen Mother's birthday, it also highlights the importance of all mothers in the country, making it a truly double celebration in Thailand.

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

How is Mother's Day celebrated in Thailand?

Mother's Day celebration at a school in Thailand. Photo: Michelle S. – blog: Miss in Thailand

The celebration of Mother's Day in Thailand is a unique manifestation of love and respect, harmoniously blending tradition and modern customs.

And, of course, the heart of this special day revolves around paying tribute to mothers and celebrating family ties.

As Mother's Day approaches, the festive spirit is very visible.

Blue flags, representing the Queen's coat of arms, are flown from homes and businesses.

The flag of Queen Mother Sirikit

The choice of color is not random.

In Thailand, each day of the week is associated with a specific color.

Friday, Queen Sirikit's birthday, is represented by blue.

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

The day is not, however, all about blue flags.

You may also see Thai citizens hanging portraits of the Queen in a show of affection and loyalty.

Public spaces are also adorned with magnificent decorations and sparkling lights in the run-up to the Queen's birthday.

Local businesses also participate in the celebrations by decorating their establishments with portraits of the Queen, vibrant garlands, and colorful illuminations to signal the upcoming festivities and recognize the Queen's contributions to Thailand.

In addition, jasmine, a flower symbolizing purity and grace, plays a central role in the celebrations.

Whether presented as flowers or woven into garlands, these fragrant flowers represent motherhood and maternal love.

This is why they are an integral part of the gift-giving tradition of the day.

Traditionally, children express their love and respect by giving their mother a garland of jasmine.

This delicate white flower is not only used in worship, but also holds a special place in the country's Mother's Day celebrations.

To accompany floral gifts, children often make a traditional gesture called a "Wai."

This gesture involves pressing their palms together in a prayerful manner and bowing to their mother in reverence and gratitude.

Thai children greet each other with the wai.

See: Learn to do the wai in Thailand

These customs underscore the deep-rooted respect for mothers in Thai culture.

Beyond these gestures of respect, Mother's Day in Thailand is also an opportunity to get together with family and share meals.

It is an opportunity for families, often separated by the demands of modern life, to come together and celebrate the matriarchs of the family.

Thai restaurants often hold special promotions, recognizing the importance of this family-centered celebration.

Schools also participate in the festivities by organizing ceremonies dedicated to Mother's Day.

On this occasion, mothers are invited to the school and honored by their children during a moving ceremony filled with respect and gratitude.

It is an emotional moment during which mothers and children often wipe away tears.

Mother's Day at a school in Thailand. Photo: Michelle S – Miss in Thailand blog

Additionally, offerings to monks are an important part of traditional Mother's Day celebrations.

Early in the morning, ceremonies are held to offer food to saffron-clad Thai Buddhist monks, enriching the day with spiritual significance.

If you're in Thailand on August 12th, be sure to attend!

Source: The Thaiger