The formal celebrations to commemorate the 91st birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, began today (Aug 12) with the offering of alms to monks at 7:30am.
Phra Udom Vachiramongkon of Wat Mongkol Nimit Temple in Phuket Town led 40 monks to receive alms from the Governor, Vice Governors, heads of local government offices, students, and members of the public.
Scheduled for 5pm is the ’Phan Phum’ laying ceremony, which will be followed by a candle lighting ceremony at the Auditorium at Phuket Provincial Hall.
Among the many other activities held to honour the auspicious occasion of Queen Sirikit’s birthday, also celebrated throughout the country as Mother’s Day, are beach and street cleanings as well as tree-planting events.
Among events promoting healthy lifestyle, a mini marathon was held in Cherng Talay this morning in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother
The donating of blood, for many years now a tradition among many Thais as a form of making merit, was also encouraged with a mobile blood donation clinic set up at Limelight Phuket shopping mall in Phuket Town. Alternatively, people can donate at Phuket RBC (full schedule for Aug avaiable here).
Many other private businesses will have their own events to celebrate Queen Sirikit’s birthday today and honour all the mothers of Thailand, be them Thai or foreign. A concert and a mom-and-child fashion show in honour of the Mother’s Day will be held at Central Phuket starting at 4pm.
All the SF cinemas in Phuket will be offering free tickets to mothers wishing to watch Meg 2: The Trench, Barbie and other movies today. A special “Love Mom” activity will start at Robinson Lifestyle Thalang at 2pm and last till 4pm. At Blue Tree Phuket, all mothers will get a B300 coupon for food and beverages from Aug 12-14.
Widely promoted by Phuket media, the the Kata Walking Street @ The Beach will be introducing a special menu incorporating 32 variations of lobster dishes in celebration of the Mother’s Day. Running 4pm to 11pm everyday, the menu will be available until the end of the month promoting the Phuket Lobster Festival 2023.
The auspicious holiday today honours the 91st birthday of Queen Sirikit, mother of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X).
Phuket Immigration confirmed earlier this week that it will be closed on Monday (Aug 14), as will all government offices.
There is no ban on the sale of alcohol on this holiday, as the alcohol ban is for the major Buddhist holidays only.