Thailand's Queen Sirikit's birthday on 12 August is a nationwide public holiday, celebrated in the whole Thai Kingdom as Mother's Day. On this day, public buildings throughout Thailand are decorated with her portrait and garlanded with flowers and many colored lights. All around the country the Thai people, businesses and local organizations raise flags and portraits of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand was born on 12 August 1932 as the eldest daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara Snidwongse. The name "Sirikit" was given to her by King Prajadhipok or King Rama VII.

Mon Rajawongse Sirikit attended kindergarten at the Rajini School in Bangkok and later on went to the Saint Francis Xavier convent school in Bangkok. At the end of World War II, when her father was appointed as Ambassador to France, later on to Denmark and finally as full Ambassador to Great Britain, Mon Rajawongse Sirikit continued her education in those three European countries to finally complete her education at the "Riante Rive boarding school" in Lausanne Switzerland.

It was while her father was stationed as Ambassador in Paris that she first met His Majesty Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was then completing his studies in Switzerland but went now and then to Paris where they had the chance of meeting each other. The meetings in Paris ripened into mutual friendship and understanding.

Later on, when His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej had a very serious motor accident in Geneva, Switzerland, and had to stay in a hospital at Lausanne, Mon Rajawongse Sirikit was a frequent hospital visitor. After His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej was well enough to leave the hospital, Mon Rajawongse Sirikit arranged to continue her studies at the "Riante Rive boarding school" in Lausanne.

On 19 July 1949, Their Majesties were engaged in Lausanne.
On 24 March 1950, They returned to Bangkok for the Cremation Ceremony of His majesty King Ananda Mahidol.Rama VII.
The Royal Wedding took place on 28 April 1950 at the Pathumwan Palace in Bangkok Thailand.

The Royal Thai couple have four children, namely:
H.R.H. Princess Ubol Ratana, born on the on 5 April 1951, in Lausanne, Switzerland.
H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkron, born on 28 July 1952 in Bangkok.
H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakir Sirindron, born on 2 April 1955 in Bangkok.
H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn, born on the 4 July 1957 in Bangkok.

In the year 1956, when His Royal Majesty King Bhumibol entered the Monk Hood, Queen Sirikit was appointed as Regent of the Thai Kingdom. Her Majesty the Queen performed her duties so successfully that she was given the Royal Title of high distinction of "Somdejphra Borom Rajininath" by the Thai government and the Thai people.

Thailand's Queen Sirikit is perhaps best known for her efforts in reviving many of Thailand's ancient arts and crafts. The Queen's support foundation "Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques" has expanded progressively since its establishment in 1976 to include craft shops in many of Thailand's cities and tourist areas, and 2 Thai Folk Arts and Crafts Training Centers at Chitralada Villa and at in Bangsai, Ayutthaya.

As a National Tribute to the Thai Queen's boundless contributions for the entire Thai population and especially the underprivileged in Thailand, 12 August has been declared the Nation's National Mothers Day and a public holiday.

Thaipro.com and the Thailand Search Engine would like to join all the people of Thailand in wishing Her Majesty Queen Sirikit a very joyous happy birthday on 12 August.