Phuket holds ceremony honouring Queen Mother on National Mother’s Day

Phuket officials and residents gathered on 12 August for a royal merit-making ceremony honouring Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, on her birthday anniversary and Thailand’s National Mother’s Day.

Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom presided over the ceremony at Mahisorn Auditorium at Phuket Provincial Hall from 7am. The programme included Buddhist chanting, meditation and alms-giving to monks as a royal merit dedicated to the Queen Mother.

Phra Sriwachirakhun, abbot of Wat Sirisil Supharam, also known as Luang Pu Supha Temple, and ecclesiastical head of Kathu, led the monastic rites. Attendees included Pawirisa Kerdsom, president of the Phuket Red Cross Society and chairwoman of the Provincial Interior Housewives Association, Deputy Governors Suwit Phansengiam and Romdon Hayae-ae, and representatives from the judiciary, military, police and civil service.

Governor Kerdsom lit incense and candles before the Triple Gem and paid homage before a portrait of Queen Sirikit. He and his spouse, together with provincial leaders, then presented alms and robes to monks, followed by blessing and water-pouring rituals.

The ceremony ended with a mass alms-giving attended by members of the public. Thailand observes 12 August as both the Queen Mother’s birthday anniversary and National Mother’s Day, and the date is a public holiday each year.