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Thailand

Thailand celebrates new Queen’s birthday

Thailand’s new Queen Suthida was widely celebrated yesterday in the kingdom with various events.

Alms were given to hundreds of Buddhist monks by government officials – including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha – in the capital of Bangkok near the Royal Palace. The same was done across Thailand in various towns and cities.

In Thailand, the giving of alms to monks is a tradition to mark celebrations like birthdays.

The Thai people have been encouraged to wear the Queen’s colour, purple, over the next three days in celebration. People will also receive free government services and counsels over the same period.

The birthdays of members of the Thai Royal Family are widely celebrated in the country with the Queen Mother’s birthday, 12 August, also being a public holiday, as well as Mother’s Day.

Royal Household Bureau, Public Relations Department, Prime Minister’s Office, Thailand

Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana celebrated her 41st birthday on Monday. The Thai government announced last month that her birthday would be a national holiday beginning in 2019.

Her Majesty married King Maha Vajiralongkorn (or Rama X) on 1 May 2019 – three days before his coronation. She had previously served as the 66-year-old King’s bodyguard and also worked as a flight attendant for Jalways Airlines and Thai Airways.

The King’s coronation was on 4 May, and Suthida was named queen consort later that same day.

She was born Suthida Tidjai on 3 June 1978 in Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand. She reportedly has Chinese origins and holds a bachelor’s degree from Assumption University. Most of her life remains a mystery, and the Royal Household Bureau only released images of Her Majesty at the end of May.

Twenty images were released in total with the Royal Household Bureau announcing that the public and government agencies are welcome to use all the images in honouring the Thai Royal Family.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.