The Queen’s Birthday

The Queen’s Birthday

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit was born on Friday, August 12, 1932, as the eldest daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara. Her Majesty was born with the royal title of Mom Rajawongse and her name “Sirikit”, which means “Glory to the Kitiyakara Family”, was given by His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).

Mom Rajawongse Sirikit began her studies at Rajini School or the Queen’s School and during World War II she transferred t St.Francis Xavier Convent School in Bangkok. At the end of the Second World War, her father was appointed the Thai Minister to France and Denmark and full Ambassador to the United Kingdom. She thus accompanied him and continued her education in Europe here she met His Majesty King Bhumibol. 

Their Majesties became engaged on July 19, 1949 and in March of the following year, His Majesty, accompanied by the Royal Family and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit and her family, returned to Thailand for the Cremation Ceremony of His Majesty King Ananda Mahidol. (Rama VII). The Royal wedding took place at 9.30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 1950 at Sra Pathum Palace. On May 5 of the same year there followed the Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol. 

Their Majesties have four children, namely

1. H.R.H. Princess Ubol Ratana, born on the 5th of April 1951, in Lausanne, Switzerland.

2. H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, born on the 28th of July 1952 in Bangkok.

3. H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born on the 2nd of April 1955 in Bangkok.

4. H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn, born on the 4th of July 1957 in Bangkok. 

In 1956, when His Majesty King Bhumibol entered the monkhood for two weeks, Her Majesty was appointed as his Regent. During that period, Her Majesty performed her duties so successfully that, on the recommendation of the government, Her Majesty was given a royal title of higher distinction: “Somdejphra Borom Rajininath"

Apart from being a royal wife and mother, Her Majesty the Queen also dedicates her tireless efforts for the betterment of the Thai people and the entire nation. The Queen spends much time enefitin to rural areas to find sources of supplementary income in the off-season or in the areas affected by drought or floods. In order to help poor people in rural areas make both ends meet, The Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related techniques (SUPPORT) was established on July 21, 1976 under Her Majesty’s patronage. The foundation has achieved remarkable success, today thousands of rural folks and their families are enefiting from Her Majesty’s countless efforts and initiatives

As a tribute to Her Majesty’s boundless contributions for the happiness of the entire population and the prosperity of the nation as a whole, August 12 is now a public holiday. We join all loyal and devoted subjects of the kingdom in wishing Her Majesty the Queen a long life of good health and happiness.