Prayers, parades mark HM Queen Sirikit’s 82nd birthday

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Eastern Seaboard residents prayed, made merit, paraded and helped the needy in honor of HM Queen Sirikit as the area marked her 82nd birthday.

National Mother’s Day events began early with Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho leading former Chonburi MPs, politicians and residents in a 7 a.m. merit-making ceremony. They gave dried food and rice to 83 monks then laid the traditional Buddhist cones of jasmine flowers in front her painting, signing their names to a blessings card to offer their best wishes and prayers to the queen.

Events repeated themselves at 7 p.m. in Pattaya, with Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome this time leading thousands of city workers and residents in a similar flower tray and prayer ceremony. The event was capped with people singing the Sadudee Maharaja song to pledge their allegiance to Their Majesties and chanting “Long Live the Queen” before a festive fireworks display.

Gov. Khomsan Ekachai hosts the ceremony to offer alms to 83 monks at Pra Phutta Sihing Hall to show love and respect to HM the Queen.Gov. Khomsan Ekachai hosts the ceremony to offer alms to 83 monks at Pra Phutta Sihing Hall to show love and respect to HM the Queen.

The largest celebrations, however, came on the streets where people turned out for parades along Pattaya’s beachfront.

Children from Pattaya’s 11 public schools, and people from Pattaya’s businesses, clubs and other groups decked out in blue shirts marched down Beach Road around 5 p.m., parading from Royal Garden Plaza to Bali Hai Pier where they waited for the evening’s ceremony to begin.

HM the Queen’s image takes pride of place in the parade, adorning this car beautifully decorated with white jasmine, which represents children expressing love and loyalty to their mothers.HM the Queen’s image takes pride of place in the parade, adorning this car beautifully decorated with white jasmine, which represents children expressing love and loyalty to their mothers.

In Sattahip, District Chief Phawat Lertmukda led public servants and local residents in a Buddhist merit-making ceremony, offering 82 monks packets of rice and dried food before he led people in signing a book to express their well wishes to HM the Queen on her birthday, wishing Her Majesty “excellent health, great prestige and power to keep the nation peaceful and secure.”

Gov. Khomsan Ekachai presides over chanting by royal monks in honor of HM the Queen’s birthday at Chonburi’s Chalerm Prakiat Pavilion.Gov. Khomsan Ekachai presides over chanting by royal monks in honor of HM the Queen’s birthday at Chonburi’s Chalerm Prakiat Pavilion.

Gov. Khomsan Ekachai did the honors at Chonburi’s Chalerm Prakiat Pavilion, presiding over chanting by royal monks in honor of HM the Queen’s birthday.

That same day, Khomsan and Deputy Gov. Pongsak Preechawit hosted the ceremony to offer alms to 83 monks at Pra Phutta Sihing Hall to show love and respect to HM the Queen, especially for her dedication to helping the less fortunate in society with her supplemental vocational project, which produces jobs and increases income, and for her concerns on the environment and growing trees to help save the world from global warming. The dry food presented to the monks will be given to ailing monks in hospitals in Chonburi, and the elderly, the less fortunate and the poor.

Students from the Asian Maritime Technological College lead the parade down Beach Road.Students from the Asian Maritime Technological College lead the parade down Beach Road.

Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho presents phanpum (jasmine flower cone) to a portrait of HM the Queen Sirikit at Banglamung District Hall.Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho presents phanpum (jasmine flower cone) to a portrait of HM the Queen Sirikit at Banglamung District Hall.

Local Lions Clubs parade together on August 12th.Local Lions Clubs parade together on August 12th.

Staff from Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens join the parade.

BTV Cable network shows their loyalty to HM the Queen.BTV Cable network shows their loyalty to HM the Queen.

Students from Pattaya School No. 9 performed many Thai dances in honor of HM the Queen.Students from Pattaya School No. 9 performed many Thai dances in honor of HM the Queen.

Sattahip District Chief Phawat Lertmukda leads public servants and local residents in a Buddhist merit-making ceremony.Sattahip District Chief Phawat Lertmukda leads public servants and local residents in a Buddhist merit-making ceremony.

Pattaya Mail Media Group once again participates in the annual parade and pays homage to HM the Queen on her birthday.Pattaya Mail Media Group once again participates in the annual parade and pays homage to HM the Queen on her birthday.

Wannapa Wannasri (left) from the Pattaya Education Office, and Peter Malhotra (right), MD of Pattaya Mail Media Group, emcee the event in Thai and English.Wannapa Wannasri (left) from the Pattaya Education Office, and Peter Malhotra (right), MD of Pattaya Mail Media Group, emcee the event in Thai and English.

Red Cross members offer alms to monks on Mother’s Day in front of the Banglamung District Office.Red Cross members offer alms to monks on Mother’s Day in front of the Banglamung District Office.

Dusit Thani Pattaya staff members participate in the citywide celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday, which is also celebrated in the Kingdom as National Mother’s Day.Dusit Thani Pattaya staff members participate in the citywide celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday, which is also celebrated in the Kingdom as National Mother’s Day.

Pattaya Women’s Development Group attends the ceremonyPattaya Women’s Development Group attends the ceremony

Traditional dance in front of HM the Queen’s portrait.Traditional dance in front of HM the Queen’s portrait.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presents his jasmine flower cone to HM the Queen’s portrait.Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presents his jasmine flower cone to HM the Queen’s portrait.

Praichit Jetpai and members of the YWCA sing their loyalty to HM the Queen on Mother’s Day.Praichit Jetpai and members of the YWCA sing their loyalty to HM the Queen on Mother’s Day.

Students from Pattaya School No. 9 perform a Thai traditional dance for the gods at Bali Hai in South Pattaya.Students from Pattaya School No. 9 perform a Thai traditional dance for the gods at Bali Hai in South Pattaya.

Mother in red representing the Nation and the child in blue representing HM the Queen on Mother’s Day.Mother in red representing the Nation and the child in blue representing HM the Queen on Mother’s Day.

A little child waves the Thai flag.A little child waves the Thai flag.

Students from the Asian Maritime Technological College express their loyalty.Students from the Asian Maritime Technological College express their loyalty.

Thousands of Pattaya citizens light candles to celebrate the 82nd Royal Birthday of HM the Queen at Bali Hai in South Pattaya.Thousands of Pattaya citizens light candles to celebrate the 82nd Royal Birthday of HM the Queen at Bali Hai in South Pattaya.

Beautiful fireworks brighten the entire Khao Pratamnak area.Beautiful fireworks brighten the entire Khao Pratamnak area.