HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej celebrated his 84th birthday today along with members of the royal family and a public audience in the Chakri hall at the Grand Palace today.

During his address to the nation, HM the King said that a sustainable water management system must be developed and that all sides must work together to assist those who have been affected by floods.

He also said that the military and government should aim to work towards national stability, which will come when people in the country are living well and harmoniously.

HM the King pointed out that it was the duty of all sides to work together to their full potential to alleviate factors that create hardship to people.

The King pointed out that people were suffering as a result of the floods and cooperation was needed to sort the problem by setting up a sustainable water management system.

“The [water] projects that I’ve had discussed are only suggestions, not orders. But if the projects are beneficial and cost-effective, then implement them if possible,” the King said.

He added that it was vital that conflict be excluded from the process, replaced by moral support. This would allow for the nation to achieve happiness and add to the stability of the nation.

HM the King also hoped that the continue on a prosperous path, while observing formalities that consisted of renewal of the oath of allegiance by members of the Royal Guard, along with addresses by other dignitaries, including the Prime Minister.

Following the event, the world’s longest serving monarch proceeded to return to Siriraj Hospital, where crowds lined the streets chanted “Long Live the King” as the royal motorcade passed.

HM the King has been rarely seen in public following his admission to hospital in September 2009.

Thailand  Queen Sirikit birthday on 12 August is a nationwide public holiday, celebrated in the whole Thai Kingdom as Mothers 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 and all name is Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat.

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.

The Royal Couple were married on 28 April 1950 in the Srapatum Palace, one week prior to the ceremonial coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol (the King wished to conclude his university degrees before being officially crowned). With two great ceremonies only a week apart, the entire Kingdom of Thailand rejoiced in a kaleidoscope of regal pageantry and popular festivities. The nation had a new King and a beautiful, new Queen. On Her Majestys birthday, one of the best places to join in the celebrations is on Bangkok  Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the areas around the Grand Palace, which are festooned with colorful lights, flowers and portraits for this special occasion.

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.

Her Majesty has been a constant source of support and inspiration to those less privileged that look up to the Royal Family for guidance. The Queen has accompanied her husband to every corner of the nation and, many times, has travelled alone on visits to distant provinces. Her Majestys list of Royal Project Foundations echo those of her husband H.M. King Bhumibol, although Her Majesty, understandably, tends to favor womens self-help programs in rural Thailand.

Her work in promoting tolerance and understanding for the Muslim minorities in the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat have made her especially popular amongst the local Muslim populace. The Queen has a strong bond with southern Thailand. She spends months in the Muslim-majority provinces every year. This role of the Queen is considered to be as one of the more quiet diplomats.

Because of her interest in Thai handicrafts using local materials, Her Majesty arranged for instructors to be sent out and help the villagers improve the quality of their products. This project continued to expand until it was formally established as the Arts and Crafts Support Foundation under Her Majestys Royal Patronage.

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

Everyone loves a birthday party so as fireworks light up the sky and public buildings throughout the nation are bathed in celebratory, festive floodlights, may we also join with our fellow Thais, countrywide, in singing” Happy Birthday ” for our beloved Queen Sirikit

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN !

Prior to the reign of King Rama IV (King Mongkut), there was no coronation ceremony in Thailand, there was only private ceremony held by high ranking officials to celebrate their Royal Regalia and positions in the 6th lunar month. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned as Rama IX, the 9th king of the Chakri dynasty, on 5th May 1950. The anniversary of this day has been observed as a public holiday ever since. Coronation was an auspicious occasion but thought that it would be dificult to explain the meaning of the coronation day to his subjects in detail, he thus called this day as a “ceremony to commemorate the Royal Regalia” but was quite similar to that of a coronation. On that day (the 13th of the full moon in the 6th lunar month), following day monks were invited to have meal at the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall in Grand Palace.

During the reign of the present king, the ceremony is performed for three days. The first day falls on 3 May in which the following ceremony will be performed; the king performs a merit-making ceremony at the Audience Hall of Amarindra in dedication to the deceased kings while Buddhist monks chant, give a sermon and perform a requiem on the royal ashes of the deceased kings. On 4 May, the Coronation Ceremonies begin with the proclamation of the Coronation Day read by the Chief of Brahmin priests followed by an evening chanting performed by Buddhist monks. Finally, 5 May is the actual date of the ceremony in which food is to be offered to monks and followed by a celebration of the Royal Regalia. On this day, His Majesty the King also presents the royal decorations to the people who have made a valuable contribution to the country.

In the evening the King conducts another sacred ceremony: changing the yellow cloth on the Emerald Buddha, the guardian symbol protecting the Thai people, which was transferred from Thonburi to Wat Phra Kaew by Rama I.

Many rooms in the Royal Palace are opened for public viewing on Coronation Day. Auspicious ceremonies are performed and displays depicting Royal achievements are exhibited to reconfirm the King’s stature.

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