>> Yet another extraordinary day in the Kingdom and another occasion for a national holiday. The 12th August is the birthday of the belovèd Queen Sirikit and is also Mother's Day in Thailand. Bangkok and the rest of the country hold celebrations and enjoy festivities over the course of 5 days.

Born in 1932, Mom Rachawong Sirikit Kitiyakorn became the second Queen of the Chakri Dynasty when she married Kind Bhumibol (Rama IX) in 1950. The country's people adopted her as their own immediately and over the course of time have attributed more and more qualities to her. Today she is as revered as the King himself for the support she gives His Majesty and for her devotion to the Thai people. As a token of recognition, the government amended the calendar of national holidays in the 1970's so that Mother's Day would coincide with her Majesty's birthday.

To announce the festival in the capital, flags displaying the Queen's colours, giant portraits of the First Lady of Thailand and fairy lights, line the central aisles of the main roads on Rattanakosin Island, leading up to the Grand Palace. And Bangkok celebrates in a big way - the festivities start on the 9th and go on until the 13th, the high point of the festival being the 12th August.

Early morning of the 12th, is the time for spirituality. As a gesture of their gratitude, the town officials make offerings to the religious leaders during a solemn ceremony at the Royal Place before everyone gathers in the city's temples for grand religious rituals. For the non-religious aspect of the festival, music, traditional dances, concerts and shows light up the City of Angels in honour of the Queen and for the pleasure of her subjects. (/LA)