Thousands of loyal subjects turned
out for the Mother’s Day parade last year.
Warunya Thongrod
Pattaya will employ parades, candles and awards in its
contribution to a national celebration of HM Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday.
Events will play out for a week surrounding the Queen’s Aug.
12 birthday, which doubles at Thailand’s Mother’s Day, with Chonburi devoting
time to Her Majesty’s passion for nature and Bangkok going all out for the pomp
and pageantry.
Festivities in Pattaya kick off Aug 11 with the Pattaya
Cultural Council’s “Outstanding Mother Awards” at Central Festival Pattaya Beach
at 4 p.m. At 5 p.m. the next day, the Beach Road parade to Bali Hai Pier begins,
followed by the city’s official birthday celebration at 6:30 p.m. Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome will preside over the flower presentation and candle lighting
ceremonies. More than 300 fireworks will cap the event.
In Chonburi, Gov. Khomsan Ekachai will preside over the alms
offering ceremony at 6:30 a.m. Aug. 12 at Phuttasihing Hall, followed by a
birthday-wish signing ceremony at 8:30 a.m. in the Royal Pavilion. At 9 a.m.
Khomsan will lead the cattle redemption ceremony to honor HM the Queen. Finally,
that evening, Chonburi will host a flower and candle ceremony.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has declared Aug. 9-16 as
the government’s celebration week. Scheduled events include the planting of 800
tree saplings on Aug. 8, a card-signing activity at Siriraj Hospital, and an
exhibition on the Queen’s life, royal missions Thai silk at the Central World
mall Aug. 9-15. Her Majesty is expected to attend Aug. 9. Alms offering and
candle lighting will take place at Sanam Luang on Aug. 12.
Finally, an honorary classical-music concert will be held at
the Queen Sirikit Convention Center Sept. 5.
HM the Queen’s birthday is a national holiday, but since this
year August 12 is a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on Monday, August 13,
and as such, government offices and many business offices will be closed in
observance of this special day. However, currency exchange booths will remain
open.
