The Queen’s Birthday is a national holiday in Thailand, celebrated annually on June 3rd since 2019. If June 3rd falls on a weekend, the holiday is observed on the following Monday. This special day marks the birthday of the current Queen of Thailand, Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana.
Additionally, the birthday of Queen Dowager Sirikit remains a holiday, celebrated as National Mother’s Day on August 12th.
History of Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s Birthday
On May 1st, 2019, His Majesty the King named General Suthida Vajiralongkorn na Ayudhya as the new queen. Shortly after, on May 4th, 2019, she was formally bestowed the title Her Majesty the Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana.
Born on June 3rd, 1979, in Hat Yai, Songkla, Thailand, Queen Suthida is the daughter of Kham and Jangheang Tidjai. She graduated from Assumption University in 2000 and began her career as a flight attendant with Jalways Airlines, now part of Japan Airlines, from 2000 to 2003. She then joined Thai Airways in 2003 and served until 2008.
In 2010, Queen Suthida began serving in the Ratchawanlop Guards, a unit responsible for protecting the then-Crown Prince. By 2013, she was romantically linked to the future king. By October 2016, international media had picked up on these rumors and speculated her as the future consort.
The announcement of this new national holiday was made by Nattaporn Jatusripitak, spokesperson for the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs. The Secretariat of the Cabinet proposed the declaration in response to a royal command from His Majesty the King.
Across Thailand, buildings are adorned to honor their queen, with the most splendid decorations in Bangkok. Streets and buildings are festooned with colored lights, flowers, and portraits of the queen. People are encouraged to wear purple, the Queen’s symbolic color, to honor her. Buildings in Bangkok are also decorated with yellow, the King’s color, and purple in celebration.