For decades Thailand has celebrated Aug 12 as Mother’s Day, as it is the birthday of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, who was Royal Consort to the deeply revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama 9), now feted as King Bhumibol The Great.
The auspicious holiday this Saturday honours the 91st birthday of Queen Sirikit, mother of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X).
All government offices will be closed on Saturday and on Monday to honour the occasion, including Phuket Immigration, the Employment Office, the Land Transport Office and all three District Offices in Phuket.
All main bank branches will close, but branches in shopping centres will remain open.
All Royal Thai Police and Tourist Police stations will remain open, and some local consulates will remain open to serve their respective citizens.
There will be no ban on the sale of alcohol on this holiday, as the alcohol ban is for the major Buddhist holidays only.