Facts about Mother’s Day in Thailand you need to know

Mother’s Day or “Wan Mae” is a big deal in Thailand and reflects the culture’s familial values. As motherhood is one of the most respected roles in Thai society, the day is particularly important to Thai people. Not only do people in the country honor their mothers, but the day is also widely celebrated with ceremonies, performances and parades. Read on for some interesting facts and stories about Mother’s Day in Thailand.

1. Mother’s Day in Thailand falls on Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s birthday

Unlike in the west, where Mother’s Day is celebrated on a different date each year on the second Sunday in May, Thailand celebrates the day on August 12. The first Mother’s Day in Thailand was celebrated on April 15, 1950. However, the date was changed in 1976 to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Sirkit’s birthday.

2. Mother’s Day is a public holiday and people usually spend time with their mothers

In many countries, such as the United States, Mother’s Day is not a public holiday. In Thailand, people usually have a day off from work. This allows people to go home and spend time with their families. Since Mother’s Day 2022 falls on a Friday, many people have an extra long weekend to spend time with their mothers. As such, there will be many family reunions and celebrations throughout the weekend.

3. Mother’s Day celebrations begin early in the morning and end in the evening

Mother’s Day and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s birthday celebrations begin early in the morning with almsgiving. People give offerings to Buddhist monks in Thailand in the mornings when the monks make their daily rounds to earn merit. Many people also take a trip to the local temple to earn more merit.

In certain areas of Thailand, people will gather and celebrate together. In most cases there will be a large state where people can offer gifts on stage. You can also expect performances of traditional Thai dances. It is common for people to wear light blue, the same color as the Queen’s individual flag, at these events.

In addition, Mother’s Day and Her Majesty Queen Sirkit’s birthday are often celebrated with candlelight ceremonies and fireworks. In Bangkok, evening celebrations usually include fireworks and light shows. You can find the celebrations along Ratchadamnern Road, Sanam Luang and the area around the Grand Palace.

4. Schools hold a special Mother’s Day ceremony

Schools also organize Mother’s Day celebrations with special ceremonies and performances. Students usually practice for weeks for this event. Aside from the performances, the children will honor their mothers individually. The students’ mothers attend the ceremony, and the children kneel at their mother’s feet to show respect and love. In this happy and proud moment, mothers often wipe their tears, and many children do the same.

5. The traditional Mother’s Day gift

Jasmine is a traditional Mother’s Day gift in Thailand. Called doc mali (ดอกมะล) In Thai, the flower is a symbol of gentleness, grace and purity. The fact that jasmine blooms year-round is a reminder of the ongoing care mothers give. Jasmine is therefore a very poignant symbol of Mother’s Day in Thailand.

Reflecting maternal love and motherhood, the flower is usually sold as blooms and in ornate garlands. Children often receive garlands and bouquets of jasmine flowers for their mothers. Many children also make their own garlands for their mothers as a special way of showing their affection. Synthetic jasmine needles are also sold across the country.

Today, besides jasmine, people also give away chocolates and other things to make their mothers feel special.

6. There is a special Mother’s Day song in Thailand

Thailand has a special Mother’s Day song that has been around for decades. The song was written by a man named Paiboon Butkan who wrote the song as a tribute to his mother. The focus of the song is the singer’s eternal gratitude for his mother. This song has evolved over time into something of an anthem for the unbreakable bond between mother and child. It’s a powerful song and many Thai people can sing along. You’ll likely hear this song at school plays and karaoke machines at family gatherings during Mother’s Day celebrations.

7. People kneel in front of their mothers to show respect

Like many other holidays and festivals in Thailand, there is a special way of celebrating Mother’s Day. Aside from showing merit to the monks and going home during the holidays to spend time with family, Thai people also take a moment to kneel and prostrate before their mother. Thai people do this to show their mothers the greatest respect and honor. At this time, people also give their mother a garland or a bouquet of jasmine. The mothers will then bless their children. The gesture is brief but compelling as it demonstrates the deep bond between mother and child even after the children have grown and matured.

8. Many families donate to charity

As part of the celebration, many families donated generously to a good cause. Most people visit a local orphanage to make their contribution. They do this to pass on to less fortunate children the love and care they received from their mothers.

9. Restaurants usually have special offers

Many people invite their mothers to a special meal for lunch or dinner on Mother’s Day. That’s why you’ll find many restaurants and hotels across the country offering special promotions on Mother’s Day so that kids can have quality time with their mothers.

Mother’s Day in Thailand is just around the corner, so now is the best time to prepare for the celebrations and make our moms feel special!